Blood levels of active metabolites of vitamin D3 in fracture repair in humans. A preliminary report.
Blood levels of the active metabolites of vitamin D3, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D3], 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25(OH)2D3] were determined in seven patients. Two subjects suffered from delayed union of tibial fractures; one showed a delayed union after a proximal tibial osteotomy; one patient suffered from bilateral femoral neck fractures, of which one failed to unite and the other united late; two patients had multiple fractures that united normally; and one patient exhibited staged bilateral femoral neck fractures whose occurrence was separated by a short interval and which united without undue delay. The blood levels of 25(OH)D3 were within the normal range. A relative decrease in 24,25(OH)2D3 values was noted in all patients, whereas in three subjects the decrease was absolute, to non-detectable levels. A decrease in 1,25(OH)2D3 levels was noted in only two patients. We postulate that these changes reflect the consumption of these metabolites during healing at the fracture site.
Tauber
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C
Department of Orthopaedics, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Noff
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D
Noff
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Malkin
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C
D015650:24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014945:Wound Healing
D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D015650:24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol