Vitamin D binding globulin phenotypes in liver disease.

The binding properties towards vitamin D metabolites of plasma from individuals with the three common Gc-globulin phenotypes, Gc-1, Gc-2 and Gc-2-1, have been found to be identical. In patients with liver disease there is a good correlation between the levels of Gc-globulin andalbumin in plasma. In addition the Gc-globulin levels correlate well with the ability of plasma to bind 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Patients with the Gc-2-1 phenotype showed a significantly smaller depression in plasma Gc-globulin than those with the Gc-2 and Gc-1 phenotypes. The relation of these findings to the pathogenesis of disorders of calcium metabolism in liver disease is discussed.