Vitamin D test to complement the diagnostics for osteoporosis and bone fracture prevention
Biohit Oyj Press Release November 3, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. local time (EET)
An adequate intake of vitamin D helps the bones keep healthy, as it is the single most important factor regulating the calcium and phosphate absorption. Calcium, phosphate and vitamin D deficiency leads to a decrease in bone mass (osteoporosis). Another important factor that reduces their absorption is gastric acid. Achlorhydric stomach due to atrophic gastritis (AG) caused by helicobacter pylori infection or autoimmune disease, or resulting from PPI (proton pump inhibitor) medication, interferes with the conversion of calcium in the stomach into an absorbable form. Helicobacter infection, atrophic gastritis and acid free stomach can be reliably diagnosed with the GastroPanel test (see the attachment Additional information).
In the Nordic latitudes, vitamin D levels are affected by subject’s age, annual exposure to sunlight and diet. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is produced in the skin following exposure to sunlight (UV), and minor quantities can be obtained from oily fish. Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) can be obtained in small amounts from a vegetarian diet. Structurally very similar vitamin D3 and D2 are metabolized in the liver to their 25-OH forms, which are converted in the kidneys to biologically active vitamin D forms.
Biohit Oyj now launches a new test for diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency from venous blood samples. The concentration of 25-OH vitamin D in blood is so far the easiest and most reliable indicator of biologically active vitamin D levels. Serum 25-OH vitamin D levels reflect the total vitamin D storage of the body and also correlate with the clinical symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Except for rickets (in children), osteomalacia and especially post-menopausal osteoporosis, vitamin D deficiency is associated with other diseases as well, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, and depression. Vitamin D3 is used to prevent and correct the vitamin D deficiency.
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: ‘This easy-to-use and reliable Biohit 25-OH vitamin D Total ELISA test identifies individuals who need vitamin D substitution. The vitamin D test complements the Gastro Panel-, Calprotectin- and active B12 ELISA tests intended for diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. These all are based on the principle of vertical measurement (see: http://www.biohithealthcare.com/About Us/History : Aggressive innovation and patenting strategy).’
Chief Medical Director Kari Syrjänen, Biohit Oyj: ‘GastroPanel test reveals the risk of calcium malabsorption (AG), and the vitamin D test detects vitamin D deficiency. Simultaneous use of calcium and vitamin D substitution is important especially for the elderly people to prevent bone loss (osteoporosis), which in Finland affects some 400.000 persons and results in bone fractures (over 40.000 per year).’
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on Nasdaq Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com