A biochemist trained at Oberlin and the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Norman was determined to figure out the exact nature and functions of the molecular
structures that were being generically referred to as vitamin D.
“As far as I know, the parent vitamin D doesn’t have a single biological effect in the body,” explained Norman. “As far as I know, it is inert. What is called parent
vitamin D is really just an intermediary.”
To learn how the so-called vitamin D eventually resulted in a biological response, Norman and his associates fed chickens radioactive vitamin D3, examining them
after 24 hours to trace the path of the molecule. While the experiments confirmed that the radioactive molecule went to the intestines, kidneys, and bones as
expected, an even more important finding was made. Norman and his research colleagues identified a converted form of the radioactive substance, a previously
unidentified molecular structure that had been released into the blood after metabolism by the kidneys. Norman then isolated and fed this metabolite to the chickens.
Here was the “eureka” moment. As published in several articles that are designated classic scientific literature, Norman’s metabolite produced the biological
activity that had been attributed for 40 years to vitamin D, and this metabolite was 50 times more powerful than parent vitamin D.
“It worked in the first experiment. You could have been blind and discovered it,” he said. “That was when I knew we were on to something very exciting.”
Four years later, Norman and his associates were able to describe the chemical structure of the metabolite, giving it its official name: 1-alpha,
25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Now nicknamed hormone D, the metabolite changed the world’s understanding of the body’s endocrine system, classifying the kidneys as
endocrine glands and paving the way for the development of the first effective drug treatments for bone and kidney disorders.

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wuvabul