The long-term effects of pancreatectomy on the Ca metabolism of the rat.

The Ca metabolism of pancreatectomized (PX) rats was investigated three months after surgery. Most PX animals were in negative Ca balance because of increased endogenous fecal Ca excretion and reduced true Ca absorption. Significant increases were also observed in bone Ca resorption rates, hydroxyproline excretion and size of osteocyte lacunae. Inverse correlations between the rates of bone Ca resorption and Ca balance were observed in the PX and control groups. Significantly, both correlations were found to fit the same function. It was concluded that parathyroid hormone secretion and its metabolic expression were not impaired by pancreatectomy. The coupling between bone Ca accretion and resorption was absent in PX animals: high resorption rates were found associated with normal or decreased accretion rates. These latter rates, in combination with the negative Ca balance, explain the reduction in the skeletal Ca mass.