Lack of effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on cell-mediated immunity

The calcium lowering hormone, calcitonin, also affects the immune system. The effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on lymphocyte transformation tests and on serum-ionised calcium was investigated in a randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study including 24 healthy adult volunteers. The participants received a single dose of either 200 IU of nasal salmon calcitonin or nasal placebo in the morning and measurements were done before and 3 h after administration of the spray. Nasal salmon calcitonin exerted a significant hypocalcemic effect, but did not interfere with antigen- or mitogen-induced expansion of T-lymphocytes. It is unlikely that nasal salmon calcitonin affects cell-mediated immunity in healthy subjects.