Effects of a diphophonate on calcium metabolism in calcium-deprived rats

Calcium metabolism was studied in growing rats, submitted to calcium deprivation ofvarious intensity. A decreased intake resulted in decreased net absorption of calcium(V'na), no change in bone formation (V'o+), and an increase in bone resorption (V'o -). In animals given dichloromethylene disphosphate (Cl'2MDP), a compoundknown to inhibit bone resorption, V'o+ was less than in the controls but again the same at all calcium intakes; V'na was below V'o+, V'o- still increased as the calcium intake was reduced. The various kinetic parameters in rats receiving Cl'2MDPwere indistinguishable from published data in parathyroidectomized (PTX) animals, yetblood calcium was low in PTX rats but normal in Cl'2MDP-atreated rats. It appears that the rat has an efficient mechanism for increasing bone resorption which is not inhibited by Cl'2MDP and does not require parathyroid hormone.