title: Effects of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 on serum calcium and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.
abstract: Six patients with chronic renal failure on regular dialysis treatment were given low doses (0.5--1.0 microgram/day) of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, monitoring the serum calcium, inorganic phosphate, immunoreactive parathyroid hormone concentration (IPTH) and alkaline phosphatase activity. The serum calcium rose in all patients after 7 days' treatment, in some subjects to hypercalcemic range; this effect persisted 6--14 days after withdrawal of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3. The elevated serum IPTH rose in the first days of treatment, but later decreased to normal values. It is suggested that active vitamin D metabolites are necessary for normal response of parathyroid glands to variation in serum calcium. Low-dose 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 treatment appears to be a promising method of correcting hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. Careful control of serum calcium is necessary, as hypercalcemia may occur even after minute doses of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium