title: Biochemical assessment of acute and chronic treatment of Paget's bone disease with calcitonin and calcium with and without biphosphonate.
abstract: Response to acute and chronic administration of calcitonin and calcium and of biphosphonates (EHDP) was evaluated in 14 patients with Paget's bone disease who were grouped on the basis of homogeneous disease activity, as appraised by bone involvement and alkaline phosphatase and hydroxyproline levels. At first, 100 MRC U of calcitonin followed 4 hours later by 500 mg of elemental calcium were given for 10 days; a significant (p less than 0.001; paired and unpaired Student t test) reduction in alkaline phosphatase (-25%) and hydroproline (-55%) was observed. Subsequently, 5 mg/kg/day of EHDP was given for 20 days. Both parameters increased to levels similar to basal values. These increases were significant (p less than 0.001 for the paired and unpaired Student test) compared with those obtained after calcitonin administration; alkaline phosphatase rose +27% and hydroxproline +135%. After this, patients were divided into 2 groups (A and B). Group A was treated with calcitonin and calcium, at the dosage indicated above, for 10 days a month during 6 months. Group B continued with the same protocol with the addition of EHDP for the 20 days during which calcitonin and calcium were not given. The results of 6 months of treatment showed that calcitonin was more active and suggested that EHDP diminishes hormonal effects. These results also demonstrate a short-term absence of EHDP activity.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010001:Osteitis Deformans / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002116:Calcitonin; D012968:Etidronic Acid; D002118:Calcium