Nature of calcemic effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in experimental hypoparathyroidism

The influence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] treatment on the daily fluctuation of plasma calcium concentration ( [Ca]P1) in relation to the feeding-fasting alternation has been studied in vitamin D-replete sham-operated (sham) and thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats fed a normal Ca diet. 1,25(OH)2D3 was given (26 or 39 pmol/day) intraperitoneally either by single injection or constant infusion using osmotic minipumps. After 7 days of treatment [Ca]P1 was measured at 4-h intervals for 24 h. Pair-fed, sham and TPTX animals received the solvent vehicle intraperitoneally. The results show that in sham rats the very moderate daily fluctuation of [Ca]P1 was not accentuated by 1,25(OH)2D3. A marked fluctuation of [Ca]P1 in relation to the food intake was observed in untreated TPTX as compared with sham rats. In TPTX rats 1,25(OH)2D3 increased the fasting [Ca]P1. In contrast the rise in [Ca]P1 during feeding was not significantly accentuated by 1,25(OH)2D3. The daily fluctuation of [Ca]P1 was the same whether the dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 was given in one single injection or by constant infusion, suggesting that this hormone is not involved in the hour-to-hour regulation of [Ca]P1. In conclusion, in the absence of parathyroid glands, 1,25(OH)2D3 given in doses that stimulate intestinal calcium absorption has a much more pronounced effect on the fasting calcemia than on the rise in calcemia observed during the feeding period. These results suggest that the mobilization of calcium from bone could play an important role in the calcemic effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 when given in the hypoparathyroid state.