[Frontiers in vitamin D; basic research and clinical application. Eldecalcitol: the effect on bones and calcium...

Eldecalcitol is a new active vitamin D₃ compound, bearing a hydroxypropyloxy residue at the 2β-position of 1α, 25 (OH) ₂D₃. In ovariectomized rats, eldecalcitol increased vertebral bone mass and bone strength by inhibiting bone resorption and maintaining bone formation. In randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial for osteoporotic subjects, eldecalcitol increased lumber vertebral and hip bone mineral density independent of vitamin D status. Furthermore, in patients with osteoporosis, eldecalcitol treatment was associated with a lower risk of vertebral and wrist fractures, with greater decrease in bone turnover markers compared with alfacalcidol. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two treatments. Therefore, eldecalcitol can become a new treatment of choice for osteoporosis.