Ergosterol is a compound found in fungi and is essential for fungal and protozoan cell membranes. It is a precursor of vitamin D2 and is also used in antifungal and anti-trypanosomal drugs. Ergosterol-containing foods provide a good source of vitamin D, important for strong bones and teeth. Antifungal drugs like amphotericin B bind to ergosterol to create pores in the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death. Azoles inhibit an enzyme required for the production of ergosterol and may cause adverse effects on the fetus. Excessive ingestion of ergosterol can lead to hypercalcemia.
Ergosterol, or provitamin D2, is a compound that belongs to the steroid family and is related to cholesterol. It is found in fungi such as Saccharomyces and Candida. This compound is an essential sterol component of fungal and protozoan cell membranes, making it an important target of antifungal and anti-trypanosomal drugs. In 1927, the relationship between ergosterol and vitamin D was discovered when it was shown that, after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, ergosterol could be used to treat rickets, a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. It is now known that this compound is a provitamin, or a precursor of vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol.
This compound is structurally similar to cholesterol and when subjected to ultraviolet light, it turns into vitamin D2. Since it is an intrinsic component of fungal cells, it is also found in fungi. Other dietary sources include fish liver oil, egg yolk, fortified milk, and other dairy products. Irradiation or exposure of these dietary sources to sunlight results in the conversion of ergosterol to ergocalciferol. Therefore, ergosterol-containing foods and supplements provide a good source of vitamin D, an important nutrient for strong bones and teeth, as well as a proper balance of calcium.
Ergosterol is present in fungi but absent in animals, so it plays an important role in the treatment of fungal infections. For example, amphotericin B, an antifungal drug, binds to ergosterol to create pores in the fungal cell membrane. Potassium and other ions and molecules leak through these pores, leading to an imbalance in the internal environment of the fungal cell. This subsequently results in cell death. However, amphotericin B has life-threatening adverse effects, making it a last-line treatment for serious and life-threatening systemic fungal infections.
Azoles, such as clotrimazole, itraconazole, and miconazole, kill fungal cells by inhibiting an enzyme called 14-alpha-demethylase. This enzyme is required for the production of ergosterol from a precursor compound called lanosterol. Several azole drugs inhibit estrogen production during pregnancy and may cause adverse effects on the fetus.
In its isolated form, provitamin D2 appears as a white or yellow powder that is insoluble in water. This crystalline dust is irritating to the skin, mucous membranes of the eyes, and the respiratory tract. Excessive ingestion of this dust can lead to elevated blood calcium levels or hypercalcemia. If not addressed, hypercalcemia leads to the deposition of calcium salts in different organs of the body.
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