THE NATURE OF HYTAKEROL (AT–10) AND ITS COMPARISON WITH CRYSTALLINE DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL1,2

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Paper chromatographic analysis of Hytakerol was carried out using reversephase systems. Three distinct compounds were isolated, one of which exhibited an ultraviolet absorption spectrum almost identical to crystalline dihydrotachysterol. Mixed paper chromatograms and infra-red spectra, however, revealed that this Hytakerol sterol is not dihydrotachysterol. Five different lots of Hytakerol were spectrophotometrically assayed after chromatographic separation. On the basis of ultraviolet absorbance, four of the five lots contained 2.7-3.0 times more of the “dihydrotachysterol-like” sterol than the label indicated. One lot contained considerably less than the others. Evidence is presented suggesting that the Hytakerol sterol is dihydrovitamin D2II, an isomcr of dihydrotachysterol, with a significantly lower potency. Historical aspects of “AT-10” preparation and the clinical implications of our findings are discussed.