The effects of betamethasone on plasma and intestinal calcium binding protein and on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 metabolism in the pig.
Betamethasone (50 micrograms/kg body weight/day) given to young pigs reduced calcium absorption, growth and plasma vitamin D dependent calcium binding protein (CaBP) concentration. No changes occurred in plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) and intestinal CaBP concentrations. 1,25(OH)2D3 (0.1 microgram/kg body weight/day) given with betamethasone increased calcium absorption although growth and plasma CaBP concentrations remained low. Intestinal CaBP levels remained unchanged. Plasma CaBP concentrations were not consistently related to intestinal CaBP or calcium absorption in the presence of betamethasone. We conclude that betamethasone-induced depression of calcium absorption was not mediated by alterations in intestinal CaBP, but the mechanism remains obscure.
D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000378:metabolism*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D001623:Betamethasone; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol; D002118:Calcium