Effects on cultured neonatal mouse calvaria of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,23S,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3.

The potency of 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3) to enhance bone calcium (Ca) mobilization in vitro was higher than that of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). In a 48-h organ culture system using fetal rat limb bones, effects of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 on bone resorption were similar to those of 1,25(OH)2D3. Thus, we attempted to clarify whether or not the potency of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 in bone resorption in vitro would be higher than that of 1,25(OH)2D3. Calvarial bones from neonatal mice were used as explants and the culture period was extended to 144 from 48 h. In cultures of 0 to 48 h, both drugs increased the release of prelabeled 45Ca from cultured calvariae, in a dose-dependent manner. In cultures of 48 to 144 h, 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 was much more effective than 1,25(OH)2D3 regarding indices of bone resorption. 26,26,26,27,27,27-F6-1 alpha,23S,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 (26,27-F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3), a main metabolite of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 in rats, stimulated 45Ca release equipotently to 1,25(OH)2D3. In mouse bone marrow cells cultured for 7 days, the potency of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 on osteoclast formation was much higher than 1,25(OH)2D3. These results suggest that the higher potency of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 in bone resorption may be due at least in part to both the higher potency of 26,27-F6-1,25(OH)2D3 in osteoclast formation and the larger retention of 26,27-F6-1,23,25(OH)3D3 in calvariae.