Aspirin inhibition of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 or parathyroid hormone induced hypercalcemia in vivo in rats. A mechanism independent of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibition.

The interactions of calcium-regulating hormones, active forms of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone, and aspirin were studied in rats. Aspirin, a prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitor, abolished the hypercalcemia induced by 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 at 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o. in parathyroidectomized or thyroparathyroidectomized rats with or without vitamin D deficiency, and in thyroparathyroidectomized plus nephrectomized rats. Aspirin did not affect the stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption by 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3. By contrast, indomethacin, another prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitor, did not affect hypercalcemia or stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption by 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3. Aspirin also abolished the hypercalcemic action of parathyroid hormone in rats with or without intact thyroparathyroid glands. Moreover, aspirin alone caused hypocalcemia in rats with intact thyroparathyroid glands. Indomethacin had no effect in either of these systems. These data suggest that aspirin may inhibit bone resorption by the active form of vitamin D or parathyroid hormone via a mechanism independent of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibition.