[Metabolism of calcium in sarcoidosis]

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology with characteristic picture of immunological disorders. As an unfavourable course of the disease both fibrosis and abnormal calcium metabolism may occur. The last one is reflected by hypercalcemia and/or hypercalcuria. In this paper the recent advances in the explanation of pathogenesis of impaired calcium homeostasis in patients with sarcoidosis have been reviewed. The evaluation of calcium concentration in urine and plasma, production rate of vitamin D metabolites, isolation and structural identification of 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 as well as regulation of its synthesis by pulmonary alveolar macrophages from patients with sarcoidosis have been discussed. Subsequently, vitamin D metabolism by sarcoid lymph node and application of steroids and chloroquine for the treatment of disturbed calcium metabolism has been presented.