title: Effect of calcitonin on bone lesions in chronic dialysis patients.
abstract: The effects of synthetic salmon CT, administered subcutaneously and intermittently (1 MRC U/kg/day for 15 days/month over 6 months) were investigated in 15 uremic patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT), all presenting various degrees of osteodystrophy. Clinically, osteoarticular pain disappeared in 8 out of 10 cases; 1 patient with rib fractures had a rapid calcification of the bone fracture repair tissue. No significant changes were found in serum calcium and PTH levels. Phosphotemia showed a significant decrease within the first 20 days. The varying individual hypophosphatemic response proved to be related to the initial level of phosphatemia. The alkaline phosphatase, when increased, showed a decrease to the normal range. A significant decrease in osteoclastic hyperactivity (active resorption surface, osteoclast index) and a slight increase in osteoblastic pool (active osteoid surface) were documented. No change was noted when osteomalacia predominated. Side effects included: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, face flushing. Our data suggest that salmon CT may be usefully employed in chronic uremic patients on RDT, when secondary hyperparathyroidism predominates.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin