A possible effect of vitamin D metabolities on cell adhesion.

The effect has been studied of the metabolites of vitamin D on the adhesion of 3T6 fibroblast cells and of pig aortic endothelial cells in culture. 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (x10(-7)M) caused a decrease within 2 h in the adhesive qualities of the cells causing them to float free in the medium; the largest effect was seen with the endothelial cells. All the metabolites of vitamin D tested produced an effect including 25-hydroxyvitamin D which appeared to also have a major toxic effect on the endothelial cells.