Influence of calcitonin treatment on the osteocalcin concentration in the algodystrophy of bone.

Algodystrophy (AD) attacks all tissues in the affected region and results in the rapid demineralization of bones. Osteocalcin (OC) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) are markers of bone turnover. Calcitonin is the treatment of choice of AD. Two groups of patients were studied: Group I (n = 8)--acute stage of AD (before and during the calcitonin treatment), Group II (n = 5)--late chronic stage of AD. In the acute stage of AD both OC level and AP activity were increased. They were normal in the chronic stage of AD. During the calcitonin treatment OC level normalized after 14 days and then increased again. During the treatment, AP activity temporarily increased and then returned to the initial level. We confirm that an increased bone turnover is observed in the acute stage of AD. Discrepancy between OC level and AP activity reflects the local metabolic disturbances. Salmon calcitonin inhibits the algodystrophic process and probably contributes to the activation of the skeletal restoration.