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L R Forte

Publications and source records attributed to L R Forte.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Adaptation of the kidney during reproduction: role of estrogen in the regulation of responsiveness to parathyroid hormone.

Avian kidney function adapts during reproduction to provide the calcium required for eggshell formation. Adaptive changes in kidney function are 1) increased parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent adenylate cyclase activity; 2) elevated numbers of PTH receptors; and 3) increased synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Because exogenous estrogen mimics these changes, this study explored the physiological role of estrogen in the regulation of kidney function by altering egg-laying status or levels of estradiol. In hens, treatment with the coccidiostatic drug, nicarbazin, led to cessation of egg laying with maintenance of the reproductive tract and of plasma estradiol and calcium. The PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity remained elevated (upregulated). However, when molting was induced by altering the photoperiod and diet, plasma estradiol, plasma calcium, and renal PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity all decreased. The depressed responsiveness to PTH was restored by administration of estradiol either during the molt or upon return to egg laying following the molt. When the estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen, was administered to laying hens, reproduction ceased and the PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity of renal membranes was decreased. In all three groups of nonlaying birds, the activity of kidney 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase was markedly decreased relative to that of laying hens irrespective of the amount of plasma estradiol. It was concluded that estrogen regulates the PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase system of avian kidney, whereas the activity of the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase of kidney and thus, the synthesis of 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol may be governed at least in part by the regulation of renal receptors for PTH by estrogen.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase↗

Stimulation of intestinal Cl- transport by heat-stable enterotoxin: activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by cGMP.

Heat-stable enterotoxins activate guanylate cyclase, whereas heat-labile enterotoxins stimulate adenylate cyclase. Both classes of toxins cause secretory diarrhea at least in part by stimulating Cl- secretion in the intestine. The mechanism for regulation of Cl- secretion by guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) was investigated using cultured T84 intestinal cells as a model for intestinal crypt cells. Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) markedly stimulated cGMP production in T84 cells. Cl- secretion across T84 cell monolayers cultured on permeable filters was stimulated by E. coli ST, cholera toxin, or 8-BrcAMP, but 8-BrcGMP was ineffective. cGMP analogues that are known to be potent and specific activators of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cG-kinase) also had little effect on 36Cl- uptake by T84 cells cultured in plastic dishes. E. coli ST, forskolin, cholera toxin, or membrane-permeant cAMP analogues markedly increased 36Cl- uptake into T84 cells. The general protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibited the stimulation of Cl- permeability elicited by E. coli ST, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or 8-BrcAMP. DEAE-Sephacel chromatography revealed a predominant type II isoform of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA-kinase) in T84 cells, whereas little or no cytosolic cG-kinase activity was found. Treatment of T84 cells with E. coli ST or VIP resulted in an increase in the cA-kinase activity ratio (-cAMP/+cAMP) if the cytosolic enzyme was assayed at reduced temperature (on ice).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biological Transport↗

Purification and properties of parathyroid hormone-related peptide isolated from milk.

The occurrence and properties of PTH-related peptide (PTH-RP) in milk was investigated. PTH-RP was purified to homogeneity from human and bovine milk using heat and acid to precipitate milk proteins followed by ion exchange chromatography and reverse-phase HPLC. The peak of PTH-RP from HPLC was detected using a sensitive bone cell bioassay. A single band of peptide was detected on silver-stained polyacrylamide gels, which migrated as a 20-21-kDa macromolecule. PTH-RP isolated from either human or bovine milk had similar electrophoretic mobilities on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The partially purified bovine PTH-RP stimulated cAMP production in UMR106-01 and OK cell lines and elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of sodium-dependent phosphate transport in OK cells. Incubation of milk extracts with an anti-PTH antiserum did not affect their bioactivity, whereas an antihuman PTH-RP 1-34 antiserum markedly reduced the cAMP response of UMR106-01 cells to the immunoabsorbed milk extracts. A PTH antagonist, norleu PTH 3-34, blocked the stimulation of cAMP production in UMR106-01 cells treated with milk extracts. PTH-RP immunoreactivity and bioactivity occurred in milk extracts of diverse animals from both eutherian and metatherian (marsupial) species. Porcine colostrum also had immunoreactive PTH-RP, although the levels were lower than the immunoreactive PTH-RP concentrations observed in milk samples collected at 7 and 14 days of lactation. Thus, a 20-21-KDa PTH-RP is secreted into milk where it could play a role in the development of suckling, newborn animals.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Opossum kidney contains a functional receptor for the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin.

The Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST1 or STa) binds to specific receptors on mammalian intestinal brush border membranes, and stimulates guanylate cyclase in those membranes. We have found a similar signal transduction system in brush border membranes prepared from kidney cortex of the American opossum (Didelphis virginiana, and in a cell line (OK cell) derived from that tissue. Activation of guanylate cyclase by ST1 is therefore not limited to intestinal cells. Furthermore, since it is unlikely that ST1 which is produced in the intestinal lumen, would have access to kidney receptors, this suggests the existence of an endogenous peptide resembling ST1, at least in marsupials.

Animals↗

Structure-activity relationships of parathyroid hormone analogs in the opossum kidney cell line.

Structural alterations in the parathyroid hormone (PTH) molecule produce marked changes in biologic activity. We examined the relative sensitivity of PTH-stimulated cAMP formation and PTH-inhibitable Na+-dependent phosphate transport responses to bovine PTH analogs [bPTH-(1-34), bPTH-(1-84), 8,18-norleucine-34-tyrosinamide bPTH-(1-34), bPTH-(7-34)-amide, 8,18-norleucine-34-tyrosinamide bPTH-(3-34), transaminated bPTH-(1-34)] and the human PTH-related peptide of malignancy (1-34) in cultured opossum kidney cells. The rank order of potency for stimulation of cAMP formation was bPTH-(1-34) = hPTHrP-(1-34) greater than nle bPTH-(1-34) greater than bPTH-(1-84) much greater than TAbPTH-(1-34). Nle bPTH-(3-34) and bPTH-(7-34) did not affect cAMP formation in intact cells at concentrations up to 10 microM. The rank order of potency for the inhibition of phosphate transport was bPTH-(1-34) = hPTHrP-(1-34) greater than nle bPTH-(1-34) greater than bPTH-(1-84) = TAbPTH-(1-34) greater than nle bPTH-(3-34). TAbPTH-(1-34) was a full agonist and inhibited phosphate transport at concentrations that did not increase cAMP formation, but nle bPTH-(3-34) was a partial agonist in spite of its inability to stimulate cAMP formation. Bovine PTH-(7-34) had no effect on phosphate transport. This study indicates that changes in the PTH molecule produce analogs that apparently discriminate between the cAMP-stimulating activity and phosphate transport-inhibiting activities of the native hormone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amination↗

Autotransplantation of avian parathyroid glands: an animal model for studying parathyroid function.

The parathyroid glands of chickens were autotransplanted and the return of parathyroid function following transplantation was determined. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) resulted in a marked hypocalcemia (5.2 +/- 0.2 mg/dl) 4 hr following PTX. Plasma calcium (PCa) had declined to 4.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dl 24 hr after PTX. Parathyroid glands were transplanted subcutaneously 24 hr after removal and 24 hr later, PCa had risen to 8.6 +/- 0.5 mg/dl. Seven days after PTX. PCa increased to 10.3 +/- 0.2 mg/dl and by 14 days was indistinguishable from control levels (10.8 +/- 0.2 mg/dl vs. 11.0 +/- 0.2 mg/dl, respectively). When chicks with transplanted glands were fed a low Ca (0.08%) diet for 2 weeks they were able to maintain plasma PCa at levels comparable to control birds. Removal of the transplanted glands resulted in marked decreases in PCa (from 9.7 +/- 0.3 to 5.6 +/- 0.8 mg/dl), in the fractional excretion of phosphate, in urine cAMP, and in renal 25OH-vitamin D3-1 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Stepwise reductions in PCa and 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity were produced in partially PTX and fully PTX chicks by removing part or all of the parathyroid tissue. These data suggest that the transplanted parathyroid tissue was the major source of circulating PTH and that it may be possible to produce different degrees of acute hypoparathyroidism by varying the amount of transplanted parathyroid tissue removed surgically. Chickens with transplanted parathyroid glands thus provide a convenient animal model in which to study parathyroid function in an avian species.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase↗

Activation of a Cl-dependent K flux by cAMP in pig red cells.

Activation of a Cl-dependent K flux by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was characterized in pig red cells, a cell type that lacks both the Ca-activated K channel and the Na-K-Cl cotransport pathway. As in other red cells, both Cl-dependent K efflux and K influx are stimulated on cell swelling. Although pig red cells fail to respond to beta-adrenergic stimuli, it is possible to raise the intracellular cAMP content by preincubating cells in the presence of 1 mM cAMP. The Cl-dependent K flux was compared in cells having a basal cAMP content of approximately 0.29 nmol/g hemoglobin vs. cAMP-loaded cells having approximately 8.4 nmol cAMP/g hemoglobin. Loading with cAMP stimulated both Cl-dependent K efflux and influx of hypotonically swollen cells. In maximally swollen cells whose volume was increased by approximately 17%, the Cl-dependent Rb influx occurs with a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 17.9 +/- 3.2 mumol.g hemoglobin (Hb)-1.h-1 and Km for Rb of 22.9 +/- 4.1 mM. In cAMP-loaded cells, both Vmax and Km were increased to 59.8 +/- 8.5 mumol.g Hb-1.h-1 and 63.1 +/- 8.8 mM, respectively. The Cl-dependent Rb influx is much larger in young cells than in old cells. However, both cell types respond to cAMP activation. Whereas cAMP and its analogues, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate are stimulatory, AMP and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) are not. These findings suggest that, like other ion transport systems, the Cl-dependent K flux of pig red cells is endowed with the capacity to respond to cAMP.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Clonal sublines that are morphologically and functionally distinct from parental OK cells.

Three clonal subpopulations of opossum kidney (OK) cells were derived from the parental line. The distribution of apical microvilli suggested that the OK cell line was heterogeneous. The clonal OK sublines appeared homogeneous as reflected by microvilli, which were uniformly distributed on the apical surface. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), forskolin (FSK), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation in OK cells and all of the clones. PTH inhibited sodium-dependent phosphate transport in parental cells and in OK/B and OK/P clones with maximal effects appearing at 4, 2, and 1 h, respectively. PTH had no effect on phosphate transport in OK/H cells. FSK inhibited phosphate transport in parental cells and OK/B and OK/P clones but was relatively ineffective in OK/H cells. PGE1 decreased phosphate transport in OK/B and OK/P cells but was ineffective in the parental line and in OK/H cells. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a potent inhibitor of phosphate transport in the parental OK cell line, had little effect in the clonal sublines. These clonal lines have remained phenotypically stable for 10 passages and should prove useful in studying the regulation of phosphate transport by PTH as well as addressing the question of whether PTH receptor subclasses exist which couple to cAMP and/or calcium effector systems in kidney cells.

Animals↗

Escherichia coli enterotoxin receptors: localization in opossum kidney, intestine, and testis.

The distribution of receptors for Escherichia coli enterotoxin were examined in opossum kidney, intestine, and testis. E. coli enterotoxin stimulated guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production in renal cortex, testis, and small intestinal mucosa but had only a small effect in the colon. Atrial natriuretic factor enhanced the cGMP content of renal cortex and small intestine but had no effect on testis or colon. The enterotoxin receptors were observed to be localized in proximal tubules, to epithelial cells of crypts and villi of small intestine, to crypts of colon, and in seminiferous tubules. Both convoluted and straight portions of proximal tubules exhibited specific binding sites for 125I-labeled enterotoxin. Glomeruli and distal tubules did not have receptors. Binding of 125I-enterotoxin to brush-border membranes of kidney cortex or intestinal mucosa and to testis membranes was markedly temperature dependent. The binding affinities of these receptors for E. coli enterotoxin were similar (i.e., IC50 approximately equal to 0.4-0.5 nM). Daily administration of 20 micrograms of enterotoxin intramuscularly to opossums increased urine cGMP excretion with no apparent changes in urine volume, Na+, or K+ excretion. Thus receptors for heat-stable enterotoxins are localized to proximal tubules of kidney and to enterocytes and seminiferous tubules of intestine and testis, respectively. Apical membranes may be the site of enterotoxin receptors in these epithelia.

Animals↗

Indexes of vitamin D deficiency in Japanese quail embryos.

Effects of vitamin D deficiency (-D) on mineral homeostasis were investigated in Japanese quail embryos. The -D embryos from 1,25(OH)2D3-fed hens became progressively calcium deficient, as documented by hypocalcemia and reduced calcium accumulation by the skeleton, yolk sac, and allantoic fluid. Plasma phosphate was progressively elevated between days 11 and 15. Increased calcium accumulation by the skeleton, yolk sac, and allantoic fluid occurred between days 12 and 15 in +D embryos. Phosphate and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations of allantoic fluid increased in +D embryos during the period of shell calcium mobilization. Further increases in phosphate and cAMP excretion into allantoic fluid occurred in -D embryos, although no calcium was absorbed from the shell. Renal 25(OH)D-1-hydroxylase activity increased between days 11 and 13, whereas the adenylate cyclase response to parathyroid hormone was lost in -D embryos by day 14. These changes in renal function are indicative of secondary hyperparathyroidism in the -D embryos. Differentiation of villus cavity and capillary covering cells occurred in the chorionic epithelium of -D embryos, but eggshell calcium was apparently not absorbed. In contrast, 75% of the total body calcium of newly hatched (+D) chicks was obtained from the eggshell. Thus the dissolution and/or transport of eggshell calcium is dependent on vitamin D in quail embryos.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Receptors and cGMP signalling mechanism for E. coli enterotoxin in opossum kidney.

Receptors for the heat-stable enterotoxin produced by Escherichia coli were found in the kidney and intestine of the North American opossum and in cultured renal cell lines. The enterotoxin markedly increased guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production in slices of kidney cortex and medulla, in suspensions of intestinal mucosa, and in the opossum kidney (OK) and rat kangaroo kidney (PtK-2) cell lines. In contrast, atrial natriuretic factor elicited much smaller increases in cGMP levels of kidney, intestine, or cultured kidney cell lines. The enterotoxin receptors in OK cells had a molecular mass of approximately 120 kDa when measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of receptors crosslinked with 125I-enterotoxin. The occurrence of receptors for the E. coli peptide in OK implies that these receptors may be involved in the regulation of renal tubular function in the opossum. E. coli enterotoxin caused a much larger increase in urine cGMP excretion (10- to 50-fold over control) than did atrial natriuretic factor when these peptides were injected intravenously into opossums. However, atrial natriuretic factor elicited a marked diuresis, natriuresis, and increased urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium. In contrast, the enterotoxin did not acutely influence OK fluid and electrolyte excretion. Thus the substantial increase in cGMP synthesis produced by the bacterial peptide in OK cortex and medulla in vitro and the increased renal excretion of cGMP in vivo were not associated with changes in electrolyte or water excretion. Whether cGMP represents a second messenger molecule in the kidney is an interesting question that was raised but not answered in this series of experiments.

Animals↗

Regulation of sodium-dependent phosphate transport by parathyroid hormone in opossum kidney cells: adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

The hormonal regulation of Na+-dependent phosphate transport was studied in opossum kidney (OK) cells. PTH caused time- and concentration-dependent decreases in Na+-dependent phosphate transport, with 10 pM PTH-(1-34) producing a 19% decline in phosphate transport. The EC50 for PTH inhibition of phosphate transport was 50 pM. Kinetic analyses of phosphate transport indicated that PTH decreased the maximum velocity without affecting the Km for phosphate. PTH increased cAMP formation with an EC50 of 10 nM. 8-Bromo-cAMP and (Bu)2cAMP also inhibited phosphate transport. Forskolin increased cAMP formation and decreased phosphate transport, whereas the cyclase-inactive forskolin analog 1,9-dideoxyforskolin also inhibited phosphate transport. The PTH analog [8,18-norleucine,34-tyrosinamide]PTH-(3-34) reduced phosphate transport at concentrations from 10 nM to 30 microM, but did not increase cAMP formation at concentrations up to 10 microM. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine produced concentration-dependent decreases in PTH-stimulated cAMP formation, but did not influence PTH inhibition of Na+-dependent phosphate transport. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and prostaglandin E1 increased cAMP formation in OK cells, but were weak inhibitors of phosphate transport. This study suggests that cAMP may not be the only transmembrane signaling mechanism involved in the regulation of Na+-dependent phosphate transport by PTH-(1-34) in OK cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Comparative effects of forskolin and isoproterenol on the cyclic AMP content of human adipocytes.

Alterations in adipocyte cyclic AMP concentrations in response to 100 microM forskolin and 10 microM isoproterenol over a 4 hour period were found to be similar; with each agent, a peak response was noted within 30 minutes. In general, the greater the magnitude of peak response, the more rapid the decline of cyclic AMP concentration during the ensuing 3 1/2 hours. Alpha-2 adrenergic activation, achieved with 10 microM clonidine or 10 microM epinephrine, substantially reduced the cyclic AMP concentrations in cells stimulated by 100 microM forskolin or 10 microM isoproterenol. Isoproterenol-stimulated cells appeared to be more sensitive to alpha adrenergic inhibition than did forskolin-stimulated cells. Cells preincubated for 3 hours with 100 microM forskolin were markedly less responsive to a second exposure to the diterpine. Cells exposed to forskolin for 3 hours also had a reduced response when incubated with isoproterenol; thus, desensitization to forskolin appears to be heterologous. Forskolin desensitization did not appear to be dependent on cellular ATP depletion since cells mildly stimulated during preincubation were as severely desensitized as those adipocytes strongly stimulated. Maximum desensitization required a preincubation time of 1-2 hours with either isoproterenol or forskolin.

Adipose Tissue↗

A dual mechanism for regulation of kidney phosphate transport by parathyroid hormone.

Regulation of phosphate transport by parathyroid hormone (PTH) was investigated in continuous lines of kidney cells. Phosphate transport was reduced by PTH-(1-34) at physiological concentrations (EC50 5 X 10(-11) M), whereas much higher concentrations were required to stimulate cAMP formation (EC50 1 X 10(-8) M) in opossum kidney (OK) cells. The PTH analogue [Nle]PTH-(3-34) also inhibited phosphate transport but did not enhance cAMP formation. Instead, [Nle]PTH-(3-34) was a competitive antagonist of PTH-(1-34) at cyclase-coupled receptors. PTH-(7-34) had no effect on phosphate transport or cAMP formation. Phorbol esters or mezerein were potent inhibitors of phosphate transport but did not affect cAMP synthesis. Their potencies paralleled the rank-order potency of these agents as activators of protein kinase c in other systems. Maximally effective concentrations of PTH-(1-34) and mezerein did not produce additive inhibition of phosphate transport in OK cells. Phorbol esters stimulated phosphate transport in JTC-12 cells, but PTH-(1-34) had no effect. We concluded that PTH regulates OK cell phosphate transport by interacting with two classes of receptors, and transmembrane-signaling mechanisms. Physiological levels of PTH-(1-34) may regulate phosphate transport by activation of protein kinase c, whereas higher concentrations appear to activate adenylate cyclase.

Biological Transport↗

Effect of age on parathyroid hormone and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase and protein kinase activity in the renal cortex.

The capacity of parathyroid hormone (PTH) to stimulate the renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D declines with age. Since the action of PTH in the kidney is mediated by cAMP, we have examined the effect of PTH and forskolin on renal cortical adenylate cyclase in young (3 months), adult (13-15 months), and old (25-27 months) F344 rats. PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase, measured as cAMP accumulation in cortical slices, was reduced in adult and old rats compared to young rats over a PTH concentration range of 0.015-15 units/ml. There was no difference in PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity between adult and old rats. Renal plasma membrane preparations demonstrated similar changes in PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. There was no difference in calcitonin, forskolin, or guanyl-5-ylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) stimulation of adenylate cyclase in plasma membranes from each age group, suggesting that the defect lies in the membrane receptor for PTH. The decreased adult sensitivity to PTH could be reversed by thyroparathyroidectomy. PTH stimulation of cytosolic protein kinase activity did not change with age. These results suggest that the decrease in PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase is due to the alterations at the level of PTH receptor. These alterations may be in response to the increase in serum PTH seen in these animals with increasing age.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Vitamin D metabolites do not alter parathyroid hormone secretion acutely.

Evidence to date has failed to show a consistent effect of vitamin D metabolites on PTH secretion. This study was undertaken to assess the possible direct, acute effects of vitamin D metabolites on PTH secretion in vitro. Ethanol has been used in several published studies as the vehicle for vitamin D metabolites. We found that 0.2-1.0% ethanol inhibited PTH release from dispersed bovine parathyroid cells (PTC). Our experiments with vitamin D metabolites used ethanol as a vehicle at a concentration less than 0.1%. When compared to ethanol treatment, 10-100 nM 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), 25 and 100 nM 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3) and 100 nM 1,24,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,24,25(OH)3D3) had no effect on PTH release from PTC incubated for up to 4 h. A combination of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 (each 25 or 100 nM) was without effect. Also, 100 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 had no effect on PTH release from either bovine parathyroid gland slices or from parathyroid glands from either vitamin D-replete (+D) or vitamin D-deficient (-D) rats incubated for up to 4 h. The i.v. injection of 1 microgram 1.25(OH)2D3 into -D rats had no effect on either serum PTH or calcium (Ca), either 0.5 or 1.0 h after treatment. Parathyroid glands from -D rats incubated with 0.75 mM Ca secreted more PTH than glands of similar weight from rats given 25 micrograms vitamin D3 3 days earlier, suggesting that vitamin D or a metabolite of vitamin D may modulate the sensitivity of the parathyroid gland to medium Ca. In summary, we found no evidence for a direct, acute effect of vitamin D metabolites on PTH secretion under diverse experimental conditions.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Adaptation of middle aged rats to long-term restriction of dietary vitamin D and calcium.

Previous studies have shown that middle aged rats do not increase renal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3(1,25(OH)2D3) production in response to short-term (4 weeks) dietary vitamin D and calcium restriction. The purpose of the experiments reported here was to determine if middle aged rats demonstrate adaptation to long-term restriction of dietary calcium and vitamin D and to compare that adaptation to the adaptation seen in young rats. Middle aged (14-16 months) Fischer 344 rats were fed either a 0.02% calcium, vitamin D-deficient (restricted) or a 1.2% calcium, vitamin D-replete (control) diet. Rats from each group were sacrificed after 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 months on the diets. Renal conversion of 25(OH)D3 to 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 was measured in vitro using isolated renal cortical slices. Renal 1,25(OH)2D3 production in the restricted group was not significantly increased until 3 months and reached a maximum of 85% higher than the control at 4.5 months. Renal 24,25(OH)2D3 production was significantly decreased after only 1.5 months of restriction and was decreased maximally by 70% at 3.0 months. Serum calcium remained in the range 11-12 mg/100 ml in both diet groups, and serum immunoreactive PTH (iPTH) was modestly increased one- to twofold in the restricted group compared to the control group. In contrast, young rats (3 months old) fed the deficient diet for 1 month had a fourfold increase in renal 1,25(OH)2D3 production and a 71% decrease in 24,25(OH)2D3 production. Feeding the deficient diet also produced a 43% reduction in serum calcium and a 13-fold increase in serum iPTH. These findings demonstrate that middle aged rats do alter their 25(OH)D metabolism in response to long-term vitamin D and calcium restriction. However, both the rapidity and the magnitude of the response is decreased compared to that seen in the young rat. This blunted vitamin D response in the middle aged rat reflects the lack of a decrease in serum calcium and the marginal increase in serum iPTH in response to vitamin D and calcium restriction.

Aging↗