Differential effects of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 and 19-nor-1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D2 on calcium and phosphorus resorption in bone.

1,25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] suppresses the secretion and synthesis of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and has been used in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, 1,25-(OH)2D3 can induce hypercalcemia, which often precludes its use. Therefore, an analog of 1,25-(OH)2D3 that would retain its therapeutic effects but produce minor effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism could be an ideal tool for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. It has been shown that 19-nor-1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D2 [19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2], an analog of 1,25-(OH)2D3, can suppress PTH levels in uremic rats at doses that do not affect plasma ionized calcium levels. The experiments presented here, using parathyroidectomized rats fed diets deficient in either calcium (0.02%) or phosphorus (0.02%), were performed to compare the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 on calcium and phosphorus resorption in bone. Parathyroidectomized rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle, 1,25-(OH)2D3 (100 ng), or 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 (100 or 1000 ng) for 9 d. Plasma calcium and phosphorus levels were monitored during the study, and ionized calcium levels were determined at the end of the study. By 9 d, 1,25-(OH)2D3 (100 ng/d) increased total calcium levels to 12.4+/-0.26 mg/dl, compared with 6.32+/-0.25 mg/dl (P<0.001) in control animals. The same dose of 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 (100 ng/d) was much less potent (9.45+/-0.28 mg/dl, P<0.001). Similar results were seen with ionized calcium levels [19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2, 3.61+/-0.12 mg/dl; 1,25-(OH)2D3, 5.03+/-0.16 mg/dl; P<0.001]. Ionized calcium levels were also lower in rats receiving the higher dose (1000 ng) of 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 (4.59+/-0.09 mg/dl, P<0.05). Similar results were seen in rats fed the phosphorus-deficient diet. 1,25-(OH)2D3 (100 ng) increased plasma phosphorus levels from 4.30+/-0.39 mg/dl in vehicle-treated rats to 7.43+/-0.26 mg/dl (P<0.001). The same dose of 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 had no effect (5.19+/-0.32 mg/dl), whereas the high dose (1000 ng) increased plasma phosphorus levels (7.31+/-0.24 mg/dl) in a manner similar to that of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (100 ng). Therefore, 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 is approximately 10 times less effective in mobilizing calcium and phosphorus from the skeleton, compared with 1,25-(OH)2D3. With its ability to suppress PTH at noncalcemic doses, 19-nor-1,25-(OH)2D2 is a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure.