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Calcium levulinate API Manufacturers & Suppliers

General Description:

Calcium levulinate, identified by CAS number 591-64-0, is a notable compound with significant therapeutic applications. The relatively new calcium levulinate is produced from a direct reaction between L- or levulinic acid levulose and calcium hydroxide . The resultant calcium levulinate formulation, when used as a calcium supplement, possesses a high calcium content that is observed to be 14.8% higher than the content typically found in calcium lactate . This formulation is considered a low molecular weight organic calcium ion type that is easily absorbed through the intestinal wall . This new application of calcium is intended for use as a food fortifier, to fortify foods like sauces, condiments, beer, beverages, soft drinks, milk and milk products, soy milk and soy products with calcium nutrition . Calcium levulinate can be used alone, or with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other compounds, either for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, or injections preparation .

Indications:

This drug is primarily indicated for: This new application of calcium is intended for use as a food fortifier, to fortify foods like sauces, condiments, beer, beverages, soft drinks, milk and milk products, soy milk and soy products with calcium nutrition . Calcium levulinate can be used alone, or with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other compounds, either for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules, or injections preparation . In essence, calcium levulinate is ultimately a relatively new calcium supplementation option . Its use in specific medical scenarios underscores its importance in the therapeutic landscape.

Metabolism:

Calcium levulinate undergoes metabolic processing primarily in: Although calcium levulinate dissociates into absorbable calcium ion once it is administered into the body, there have been studies to suggest that the levulinate component is metabolized to 4-hydroxypentanoate - a compound that has similar pharmacologic effects as but at a lower level of potency than the 'date rape' drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate . This metabolic pathway ensures efficient processing of the drug, helping to minimize potential toxicity and side effects.

Absorption:

The absorption characteristics of Calcium levulinate are crucial for its therapeutic efficacy: General calcium absorption occurs primarily in the duodenum by an active transcellular and saturable system, which is stimulated and regulated by 1,25(OH)2D,25 and through a passive and vitamin D-independent paracellular transport in the jejunum and ileum, and even in the colon - where absorption is only about 4% even when the intake is high . Ultimately, calcium absorption depends mainly on the amount of intake - in general, absorption increases at lower intakes and decreases at high intakes . Readily accessible data regarding the specific absorption of calcium levulinate is not available although the formulation is considered a low molecular weight organic calcium ion type that is easily absorbed through the intestinal wall . The drug's ability to rapidly penetrate into cells ensures quick onset of action.

Half-life:

The half-life of Calcium levulinate is an important consideration for its dosing schedule: Readily accessible data regarding the half-life of calcium levulinate is not available. This determines the duration of action and helps in formulating effective dosing regimens.

Protein Binding:

Calcium levulinate exhibits a strong affinity for binding with plasma proteins: Readily accessible data regarding the protein binding of calcium levulinate is not available, although many different calcium-binding proteins exist, with different cellular and tissue distribution and involvement in specific biological function . Some of these proteins include calmodulin, calsequestrin, calretinin, and calcineurin, among others . This property plays a key role in the drug's pharmacokinetics and distribution within the body.

Route of Elimination:

The elimination of Calcium levulinate from the body primarily occurs through: Calcium leaves the body mainly in urine and feces, but also in other body tissues and fluids, like sweat . Overall, a typical daily calcium loss for a healthy adult man or woman via renal excretion is approximately 5 mmol/day while endogenous fecal calcium losses are about 2.1 mg/kg per day in adults and about 1.4 mg/kg per day in children . Understanding this pathway is essential for assessing potential drug accumulation and toxicity risks.

Volume of Distribution:

Calcium levulinate is distributed throughout the body with a volume of distribution of: 99% of the body's calcium supply is stored in the bones and teeth where it supports their structure and function . Elsewhere, 1% or less of this calcium supply is used for essential metabolic functions like vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle function, nerve transmission, intracellular signaling, and hormonal secretion, among other activities . This metric indicates how extensively the drug permeates into body tissues.

Clearance:

The clearance rate of Calcium levulinate is a critical factor in determining its safe and effective dosage: Despite inter-individual differences, general clinical lab tests list some reference calcium clearance values as being considered a 'normal range', like urine calcium as approximately < 250 mg/24 h . It reflects the efficiency with which the drug is removed from the systemic circulation.

Pharmacodynamics:

Calcium levulinate exerts its therapeutic effects through: The relatively new calcium levulinate is produced from a direct reaction between L- or levulinic acid levulose and calcium hydroxide . The resultant calcium levulinate formulation, when used as a calcium supplement, possesses a high calcium content that is observed to be 14.8% higher than the content typically found in calcium lactate . Moreover, this formulation also demonstrates a high solubility of more than 30% at 25℃ . Furthermore, the calcium levulinate is believed to be non-toxic and non-allergic, making it especially suitable for injection or infusion administrations . Additionally, this levulinate formulation is reported as having a good taste, little irritation with a pH value of 7, and good stability such that no precipitation or deterioration occurs during use . Finally, this calcium levulinate formulation is also believed to have good compatibility with calcium lactate, calcium chloride, and other material complexes which allows the formulation to also complex effectively with a diverse variety of foodstuffs and pharmaceutical dosage forms . The drug's ability to modulate various physiological processes underscores its efficacy in treating specific conditions.

Mechanism of Action:

Calcium levulinate functions by: Much like most calcium supplements, once calcium levulinate dissociates in the body after administration, absorption of the supplemental calcium ions across the intestinal wall serves to enhance calcium stores in the body . Regardless, levulinic acid (LA) is a commonly used chemical with one carbonyl group, one carboxyl group, and alpha-H comprised in its inner structure, which belongs to short-chain and non-volatile fatty acids . Moreover, the carbon-oxygen double bond from LA's carbonyl group possesses a strong polarity, where the oxygen atom has a stronger electron attracting ability compared to the carbon atom, such that the pi electron will ultimately transfer into the greater electronegative oxygen, therefore resulting in the formation of a positive charge center in the carbon atom . The electrophilic center of the carbon atom subsequently plays a critical role when the carbonyl group performs chemical reactions . Owing to the relatively strong electron receptor effect of the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group, LA has higher dissociation constants than a common saturated acid, which allows it to possess a stronger corresponding acidity . Furthermore, LA can be isomerized into the enol-isomer, owing to the presence of the carbonyl group . The chemical structure of LA consequently has several highly active sites, which facilitates it being used as a chemical platform for preparing many other chemical products . For example, the special structure of LA allows various kinds of products to be generated by way of esterification, halogenation, hydrogenation, oxy-dehydrogenation, and/or condensation, among many other methods . This mechanism highlights the drug's role in inhibiting or promoting specific biological pathways, contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Toxicity:

Classification:

Calcium levulinate belongs to the class of organic compounds known as gamma-keto acids and derivatives. These are organic compounds containing an aldehyde substituted with a keto group on the C4 carbon atom, classified under the direct parent group Gamma-keto acids and derivatives. This compound is a part of the Organic compounds, falling under the Organic acids and derivatives superclass, and categorized within the Keto acids and derivatives class, specifically within the Gamma-keto acids and derivatives subclass.

Categories:

Calcium levulinate is categorized under the following therapeutic classes: Alimentary Tract and Metabolism, Calcium Salts, Enzyme Inhibitors, Keto Acids, Mineral Supplements. These classifications highlight the drug's diverse therapeutic applications and its importance in treating various conditions.