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Biomedical subjects

M S LeBoff

Publications and source records attributed to M S LeBoff.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of inhaled glucocorticoids on bone density in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Inhaled glucocorticoids are the most commonly used medications for the long-term treatment of patients with asthma. Whether long-term therapy with inhaled glucocorticoids reduces bone mass, as oral glucocorticoid therapy does, is controversial. In a three-year prospective study, we examined the relation between the dose of inhaled glucocorticoids and the rate of bone loss in premenopausal women with asthma. METHODS: We studied 109 premenopausal women, 18 to 45 years of age, who had asthma and no known conditions that cause bone loss and who were treated with inhaled triamcinolone acetonide (100 microg per puff). We measured bone density by dual-photon absorptiometry at base line, at six months, and at one, two, and three years. Serum osteocalcin and parathyroid hormone and urinary N-telopeptide, cortisol, and calcium excretion were measured serially. We measured inhaled glucocorticoid use by means of monthly diaries, supported by the use of an automated actuator-monitoring device. RESULTS: Inhaled glucocorticoid therapy was associated with a dose-related decline in bone density at both the total hip and the trochanter of 0.00044 g per square centimeter per puff per year of treatment (P= 0.01 and P=0.005, respectively). No dose-related effect was noted at the femoral neck or the spine. Even after the exclusion of all women who received oral or parenteral glucocorticoids at any time during the study, there was still an association between the decline in bone density and the number of puffs per year of use. Serum and urinary markers of bone turnover or adrenal function did not predict the degree of bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled glucocorticoids lead to a dose-related loss of bone at the hip in premenopausal women.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Effects of age on serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, IGF-I, and IL-6 levels in women.

Data from animal and in vitro studies suggest that the growth-promoting effects of the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) may be mediated by stimulation of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and/or inhibition of interleukin 6 (IL-6), a cytokine mediator of bone resorption. This study tests the hypotheses that there are effects of age on serum DHEAS, IGF-I, and IL-6 levels, and that levels of IGF-I and IL-6 are related to DHEAS levels. The study included 102 women: 27 premenopausal and 75 postmenopausal, including 35 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, as defined by bone mineral density scores by dual X-ray energy absorptiometry. DHEAS levels decreased significantly with age (r = -0.52, P < 0.0001) and IGF-I levels decreased significantly with age (r = -0.49, P < 0.0001). IL-6 levels increased significantly with age (r = 0.36, P = 0.008). IGF-I was positively correlated to DHEAS levels (r = 0.43, P < 0. 0001, n = 102) and IL-6 levels were negatively correlated to DHEAS levels (r = -0.32, P = 0.021, n = 54). Levels of DHEAS and IGF-I were correlated with T scores of the spine and some hip sites. In a multiple variable model to predict DHEAS, age was an important predictor (P < 0.001), but osteoporosis status, IGF-I, and IL-6 were not. The median DHEAS level was lower in the postmenopausal osteoporotic women (67 microg/dl, n = 35) than in the nonosteoporotic postmenopausal women (106.3 microg/dl, n = 40, P = 0. 03), but this was not significant after correction for age. Age accounted for 32% of the variance in DHEAS levels. In summary, DHEAS levels decreased with age and had a positive association with IGF-I levels and a negative association with IL-6 levels. DHEA deficiency may contribute to age-related bone loss through anabolic (IGF-I) and anti-osteolytic (IL-6) mechanisms.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Occult vitamin D deficiency in postmenopausal US women with acute hip fracture.

CONTEXT: Low vitamin D levels may contribute to hip fractures in women, although limited data are available on vitamin D levels in US women admitted with acute hip fractures. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postmenopausal women with hip fractures have low vitamin D and high parathyroid hormone levels compared with nonosteoporotic and osteoporotic women admitted for elective joint replacement. DESIGN: Comparative case series conducted between January 1995 and June 1998. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Ninety-eight postmenopausal community-dwelling women with no secondary causes of bone loss admitted for hip replacement, of whom 30 women had acute hip fractures and 68 women were admitted for elective joint replacement. Of the women admitted for elective joint replacement, 17 had osteoporosis and 51 did not. Women with comorbid conditions or who were taking medications that affect bone density and turnover were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary measures were levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone; secondary measures were body composition and markers of bone turnover. RESULTS: Women with hip fractures had lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than women without osteoporosis admitted for elective joint replacement (P = .02) and than women with osteoporosis admitted for elective joint replacement (P = .01) (medians, 32.4, 49.9, and 55.0 nmol/L, respectively; comparisons adjusted for age and estrogen intake). Parathyroid hormone levels were higher in women with fractures than women in the nonosteoporotic control group (P<.001) or than elective osteoporotic women (P = .001) (medians, 5.58, 3.26, and 3.79 pmol/L, respectively; comparisons adjusted for age and estrogen intake). Fifteen patients (50.0%) with hip fractures had deficient vitamin D levels (< or =30.0 nmol/L) and 11 (36.7%) had a parathyroid hormone level greater than 6.84 pmol/L. Levels of N-telopeptide, a marker of bone resorption, were greater in the women with hip fractures than in the elective nonosteoporotic controls (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal community-living women who presented with hip fracture showed occult vitamin D deficiency. Repletion of vitamin D and suppression of parathyroid hormone at the time of fracture may reduce future fracture risk and facilitate hip fracture repair. Because vitamin D deficiency is preventable, heightened awareness is necessary to ensure adequate vitamin D nutrition, particularly in northern latitudes.

Aged↗

Calcidiol and PTH levels in women attending an osteoporosis program.

We performed a retrospective study of 237 patients attending a specialty osteoporosis practice. Secondary causes for reduced bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in 196 postmenopausal women and 41 premenopausal women; mean age was 56 +/- 13.8 years (mean +/- SD). BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (QDR 1000W/2000 Hologic). Levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcidiol [25(OH)D], thyroid-stimulating hormone, and 24-hour urinary calcium were measured, and serum and urine protein (SPEP and UPEP) electrophoresis were performed. Overall, 16% of our patients had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml, the lowest acceptable vitamin D level without a concomitant rise in iPTH levels. Among the osteoporotic patients (T score <-2.5 SD), 17% had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml and 7% <10 ng/ml. Among the osteopenic patients (-2.5 < T < -1.0 SD), 11% had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml. Seventeen percent of patients with Z score </=-1.0 SD (low range normal value) had 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml. Low 25(OH)D levels were inversely related to high iPTH values (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001). Hypercalciuria was present in 15% of our patients, elevations of PTH levels (>65 pg/ml, upper normal limit of assay) were present in 11.5%, and hyperthyroidism in 4%. A 25(OH)D level of <25 ng/ml in women (n = 86) with no known secondary causes of low BMD was associated with an iPTH level above 49 pg/ml. The measurement of 25(OH)D levels is recommended in the evaluation of secondary causes for reduced BMD. Supplementation with vitamin D appears needed to keep 25(OH)D above 25 ng/ml, the level required to prevent increments in iPTH levels.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

DHEA and the skeleton (through the ages).

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester, DHEAS, are the most abundant steroids in the human circulation, although their exact biological significance is not completely understood. DHEA(S) levels are high in fetal life, decrease after birth, and show a marked pubertal increase to a maximal level during young adulthood. In healthy adults, DHEAS levels decline to 10-20% of peak levels by age 70 yr. This review summarizes information concerning the role of DHEA in skeletal physiology, including modulation of the skeletal insulin-like growth factor regulatory system, and its effects on secretion of proresorptive cytokines. The pattern of secretion of DHEA throughout the life cycle is discussed, as well as its potential usefulness in specific disease states as an agent with anabolic and antiosteolyic effects on bone.

Adult↗

Longitudinal changes in bone density in hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) is a known risk factor for cortical bone loss. The primary objective of this study was to examine the time course and location of changes in bone mass within the first year after parathyroidectomy (PAX). The secondary goal was to evaluate the efficacy of combined estrogen therapy and parathyroidectomy in postmenopausal women. Thirty-two subjects with primary HPTH participated in a prospective, longitudinal study for at least 1 yr. Twenty-seven subjects underwent PTX, while five received no therapy (control). Among the PTX patients, 21 were postmenopausal women, and 8 of these women also received estrogen. Subjects had serial measurements of parathyroid hormone levels, serum chemistries, and bone density at multiple sites. Among all PTX patients, lumbar spine, hip, and whole body bone mineral content increased significantly (3.8-6%; p < 0.005) at 12 mo, with most of the increments observed by 3 mo. In postmenopausal women, estrogen treatment resulted in higher increments in the femoral neck (8.6 +/- 2% vs 4.9 +/- 1.2%, respectively; p = 0.07) and the whole body (6 +/- 2% vs 2.4 +/- 1.6%, respectively; p = 0.07). In HPTH, early and generalized increments in bone mass follow PTX, and the combination of surgery with estrogen therapy may be superior to surgery without estrogen treatment. A randomized, controlled trial including PTX, estrogen, and a combination of the two is needed to determine the optimal therapy in postmenopausal women.

Bone Density↗

Monitoring therapeutic response in skeletal metastases using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry: a prospective feasibility study in breast cancer patients.

Response to systemic therapy in breast cancer patients with lytic skeletal metastases manifests as a shift from increased bone resorption to new bone formation. We hypothesized that dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) could be used to prospectively quantitate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in metastatic skeletal lesions in breast cancer patients receiving systemic therapy. Nine metastatic breast cancer patients with one or more assessable lytic skeletal metastases receiving systemic therapy were prospectively evaluated with DXA, skeletal radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and radionuclide bone scans at baseline (t = 0 months, 2 months, and 6 months). The median (range) percentage change in BMD in skeletal lesions among patients responding to systemic therapy was 10.7% (0.1-21.85), 5.0% (-1.3-23.8), and 16.7% (-2.0-50.8) at 0-2, 2-6, and 0-6 months, respectively. Changes in BMD between 0-2, and 0-6 months were significant (Wilcoxin signed rank test; p = 0.013 and p = 0.017, respectively). The percentage change in BMD skeletal lesions between 0-2 and 2-6 months correlated with the changes imaged on skeletal x-rays (Spearman rank order correlation coefficient [Rs] = 0.511, p = 0.011) and CTs (Rs = 0.416, p = 0.046) but less so with bone scans (Rs = 0.293, p = 0.189). It is technically feasible to use DXA to prospectively monitor changes in lytic skeletal metastases in breast cancer patients receiving systemic therapy. The BMD of skeletal metastases increases in patients responding to treatment and was significantly correlated with the changes imaged on skeletal x-rays and CTs. Additional studies of DXA to evaluate response in skeletal metastasis are warranted.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Intact parathyroid hormone levels are not elevated in glucocorticoid-treated subjects.

To assess whether chronic glucocorticoid therapy results in a compensatory increase in parathyroid hormone (PTH), we measured intact PTH levels and other indices of mineral metabolism in 13 postmenopausal glucocorticoid-treated women and 16 normal age-matched controls. The glucocorticoid-treated women received a mean prednisone dose of 15.8 +/- 3.1 mg/day for 12.9 +/- 3.1 years. A linear regression analysis between intact PTH levels and a wide range of prednisone doses in these 13 glucocorticoid-treated women and 26 additional male and female subjects receiving chronic glucocorticoid therapy for a variety of rheumatic and pulmonary disorders (n = 39) was also performed. Intact PTH levels using the sensitive immunoradiometric assay (IRMA, Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, CA) were comparable in the glucocorticoid-treated and normal control women (35.3 +/- 4.4 vs 31.3 +/- 3.2 ng/l, respectively) as wee the total calcium concentrations (9.67 +/- 0.12 vs 9.52 +/- 0.11 mg/dl). In the glucocorticoid-treated women, the 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, measured by competitive protein assay were similar to those of the control subjects (29.2 +/- 2.8 vs 29.1 +/- 2.3 mg/ml), and no patient was treated with vitamin D in excess of 400 IU daily. In the combined 39 male and female patients, there were also no significant regression relationships between daily prednisone dose and intact PTH levels. Thus, secondary hyperparathyroidism does not accompany chronic oral glucocorticoid therapy in women on low to moderate doses of oral glucocorticoids. The lack of an elevation in intact PTH levels in the presence of chronic glucocorticoid therapy may represent an increased sensitivity of bone to PTH, or an alteration in the relationship between calcium and PTH, or both.

Administration, Oral↗

Intact parathyroid hormone levels in renal insufficiency.

To define the onset of the rise in intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in renal insufficiency, we conducted a cross-sectional study of parameters of mineral metabolism in patients with varying degrees of renal impairment. Using an immunoradiometric assay to measure intact PTH levels, we found elevations in intact PTH levels as creatinine clearance approaches 60 ml/minute (serum creatinine near 1.8) and a significant inverse relationship between indices of renal function and intact PTH levels (r = -0.60, P < 0.001 for intact PTH and creatinine clearance.) Calcium and phosphate levels correlate less strongly with the degree of hyperparathyroidism (r = -0.39, P < 0.001 for total calcium; r = 0.31, P < 0.05 for phosphate). As a group, only patients with severe renal failure (creatinine clearance < 20 ml/minute) had 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels below normal (11 +/- 4 [SEM] pg/dl, normal range 15-60). Intact and n-terminal PTH measurements correlate well in this patient population with varying degrees of renal insufficiency (r = 0.9, P < 0.001). Intact PTH can be elevated in patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency, thus efforts to prevent the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism in renal failure should be undertaken early in the course of renal insufficiency.

Adult↗

Anabolic therapy with growth hormone accelerates protein gain in surgical patients requiring nutritional rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the effects of exogenous growth hormone (GH) on protein accretion and the composition of weight gain in a group of stable, nutritionally compromised postoperative patients receiving standard hypercaloric nutritional therapy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: A significant loss of body protein impairs normal physiologic functions and is associated with increased postoperative complications and prolonged hospitalization. Previous studies have demonstrated that standard methods of nutritional support enhance the deposition of fat and extracellular water but are ineffective in repleting body protein. METHODS: Fourteen patients requiring long-term nutritional support for severe gastrointestinal dysfunction received standard nutritional therapy (STD) providing approximately 50 kcal/kg/day and 2 g of protein/kg/day during an initial 7-day equilibrium period. The patients then continued on STD (n = 4) or, in addition, received GH 0.14 mg/kg/day (n = 10). On day 7 of the equilibrium period and again after 3 weeks of treatment, the components of body weight were determined; these included body fat, mineral content, lean (nonfat and nonmineral-containing tissue) mass, total body water, extracellular water (ECW), and body protein. Daily and cumulative nutrient balance and substrate oxidation studies determined the distribution, efficiency, and utilization of calories for protein, fat, and carbohydrate deposition. RESULTS: The GH-treated patients gained minimal body fat but had significantly more lean mass (4.311 +/- 0.6 kg vs. 1.988 +/- 0.2 kg, p < or = 0.03) and more protein (1.417 +/- 0.3 kg vs. 0.086 +/- 0.1 kg, p < or = 0.03) than did the STD-treated patients. The increase in lean mass was not associated with an inappropriate expansion of ECW. In contrast, patients receiving STD therapy tended to deposit a greater proportion of body weight as ECW and significantly more fat than did GH-treated patients (1.004 +/- 0.3 kg vs. 0.129 +/- 0.2 kg, p < 0.05). GH administration altered substrate oxidation (respiratory quotient = 0.94 +/- 0.02 GH vs. 1.17 +/- 0.05 STD, p < or = 0.0002) and the use of available energy, resulting in a 66% increase in the efficiency of protein deposition (13.37 +/- 0.8 g/1000 kcal vs. 8.04 g +/- 3.06 g/1000 kcal, p < or = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: GH administration accelerated protein gain in stable adult patients receiving aggressive nutritional therapy without a significant increase in body fat or a disproportionate expansion of ECW. GH therapy accelerated nutritional repletion and, therefore, may shorten the convalescence of the malnourished patient requiring a major surgical procedure.

Adult↗

Effect of sequential and daily continuous hormone replacement therapy on indexes of mineral metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Continuous regimens of estrogen-progesterone have recently been favored over sequential regimens because of a lower incidence of withdrawal bleeding. To determine whether the beneficial effects of sequential hormonal therapy on bone metabolism are preserved with the newer continuous regimens, we studied indexes of skeletal metabolism and changes in bone mineral density during a 1-year prospective trial. METHODS: Our subjects were randomized to one of three treatment groups: those in group C-2.5 were treated with 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen with 2.5 mg of micronized medroxyprogesterone acetate daily continuously; group C-5 received 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen and 5.0 mg of micronized medroxyprogesterone acetate daily continuously; and group S-5 received 0.625 mg of conjugated estrogen on days 1 through 25 and 5 mg of micronized medroxyprogesterone acetate on days 14 through 25. RESULTS: At 1 year, all groups demonstrated a significant decrease in indexes of bone formation turnover, including decrements in alkaline phosphatase levels of 11% to 30% and in osteocalcin levels of 45% to 60%. Intact parathyroid hormone levels rose 10% to 20%, with a concomitant near-significant decrement in ionized calcium levels at 12 months. In addition, there were significant decrements in the 24-hour urinary calcium-creatinine ratios and hydroxyproline-creatinine ratios of 13% to 28%, measures of bone resorption. Linear regression analyses showed that the subjects with the high bone resorption achieved the greatest increment in bone mineral density in response to hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: The daily continuous estrogen-progesterone regimens are as efficacious as sequential hormonal therapy in decreasing indexes of bone turnover and stabilizing bone mineral density of the spine and proximal femur.

Bone Density↗

Acute changes in serum osteocalcin during induced hypocalcemia in humans.

Although levels of serum osteocalcin are thought to be an indicator of osteoblastic activity and bone formation, there is little information regarding the acute effects of changes in calcium or PTH levels on circulating osteocalcin concentrations. To study the effect of stepwise decreases in ionized calcium (CaI) on osteocalcin levels, we infused six normal subjects with citrate for four 30-min intervals using two different protocols. One protocol (pulse infusion) used alternating rates of infusion and resulted in rapid stepwise decrements in serum CaI. The second protocol (continuous infusion) used constant intermediate rates of citrate infusion and produced slower decrements in CaI, but with similar changes in magnitude. We monitored serum CaI, intact PTH, and osteocalcin concentrations during the course of these infusions. During each step of the pulse infusion the osteocalcin responses to changes in CaI in general were parallel to the changes in PTH (r = 0.462; P = 0.02) and were inversely correlated to CaI (r = -0.562; P = 0.003). The osteocalcin concentrations at the end of each 30-min period were higher than at the beginning of that period; over the total 120 min, osteocalcin levels rose from 3.46 +/- 0.63 to 6.88 +/- 1.08 micrograms/L (P less than 0.05). In contrast, during the first two periods of the continuous infusion, osteocalcin concentrations changed slightly. Only during the last two periods of the continuous infusion did osteocalcin respond in a manner characteristic of that observed with the pulse infusion. These data indicate that osteocalcin concentrations in the circulation may be acutely regulated by calcium and/or PTH.

Adult↗

The calcium channel blocker diltiazem lowers serum parathyroid hormone levels in vivo and in vitro.

PTH secretion is inversely related to the extracellular and cytosolic calcium (Ca2+) concentrations and, therefore, might be affected by calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem. To investigate the effects of diltiazem on parathyroid function in vivo, 15 subjects were treated with diltiazem (120-360 mg/day), and 15 subjects were treated with the nonspecific vasodilator hydralazine (75-150 mg/day). Diltiazem lowered serum PTH levels from 1.07 +/- 0.07 to 0.87 +/- 0.07 pg/L (P = 0.001), and increased urinary calcium and decreased urinary phosphate excretion (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01, respectively). The hydralazine-treated subjects had no significant differences in any of these parameters. To investigate this effect further, dispersed bovine parathyroid cells were incubated for 2 h with or without diltiazem. Regression analysis of PTH released vs. the concentration of diltiazem (10(-7)-10(-4) mol/L) revealed a significant negative relationship (P less than 0.01) with 40% inhibition of PTH release at 10(-4) mol/L (P less than 0.01). The cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, measured using the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2, was significantly increased in the presence of 10(-4) mol/L diltiazem (P less than 0.01). In summary, diltiazem lowered PTH levels in vivo and in vitro, perhaps acting as a Ca2+ channel agonist in the parathyroid cell and inhibiting PTH release through a rise in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration.

Adult↗

Hysteresis in the relationship between serum ionized calcium and intact parathyroid hormone during recovery from induced hyper- and hypocalcemia in normal humans.

We have used an immunoradiometric assay for intact PTH in conjunction with calcium and citrate infusions to study whether levels of intact PTH are responsive to reversal of the direction of change in ionized calcium in normal humans. Eleven normal subjects received graded infusions of citrate or calcium on separate days to produce linear rates of decrease or increase in calcium. After discontinuation of the infusions, the return of calcium toward baseline was followed. Six subjects were given an infusion of citrate after the calcium infusion to speed the recovery of calcium toward baseline. Citrate-induced hypocalcemia produced a rise in serum PTH levels from 28.1 +/- 3.6 to 69.4 +/- 4.8 ng/L as calcium fell from 1.26 +/- 0.01 to 1.06 +/- 0.02 mmol/L. As calcium returned toward baseline, PTH levels fell dramatically, reaching levels indistinguishable from baseline despite persistent hypocalcemia. Slopes of regression lines defining the PTH-calcium relationships during decreasing and increasing calcium levels were significantly different. Those subjects receiving a calcium infusion alone showed a prompt suppression of PTH levels. As calcium returned toward baseline after the infusion, a modest decline in calcium produced no significant change in the PTH-calcium relationship. When citrate was used to return calcium to baseline, PTH levels rose from 7.8 +/- 2.0 to 55.0 +/- 6.8 ng/L as calcium fell from 1.42 +/- 0.02 to 1.26 +/- 0.02 mmol/L and defined a regression relationship significantly different from the period of increasing calcium. Thus, a hysteretic relationship between ionized calcium and levels of intact PTH can be induced in normal humans by reversing the direction of change in calcium. Therefore, the role played by calcium concentration per se in controlling PTH secretion may be part of more complex and dynamic regulatory mechanisms.

Adult↗

A single dose of lithium carbonate acutely elevates intact parathyroid hormone levels in humans.

Hyperparathyroidism has been reported in patients receiving lithium therapy, and lithium alters calcium-regulated PTH release in vitro. Previous studies in vivo have used assays which measure fragments of PTH as well as the intact hormone. To determine if lithium acutely elevates intact PTH levels, we studied 9 subjects who received a single oral dose of lithium carbonate (600 mg). Serum levels of intact PTH, ionized calcium, and lithium were measured before, 2 and 14 h after the dose of lithium. PTH levels rose significantly 2 h following the dose of lithium (before 22 +/- 5.0, post 32 +/- 7.3 ng/l, p less than 0.02). PTH levels had returned to baseline at 14 h (22 +/- 3.8 ng/l). There were no significant changes in ionized calcium levels. Therefore, a single oral dose of lithium carbonate acutely elevates intact PTH values in human subjects.

Administration, Oral↗

Relationship between the concentration and rate of change of calcium and serum intact parathyroid hormone levels in normal humans.

We employed variable rates of infusion of EDTA or calcium gluconate to examine the relationships between the concentration and rate of change of serum total and plasma ionized calcium and serum immunoreactive intact PTH concentrations in normal subjects. Use of a sensitive immunoradiometric assay specific for PTH-(1-84) made it possible to determine the full range of PTH responses to perturbations in the extracellular calcium concentration. By progressively increasing the rate of administration of calcium gluconate or EDTA during rapid or slow infusions, linear rates of change in the serum calcium concentration were achieved in eight men. The slopes were 2-fold greater during the rapid infusions. Both the calcium infusions decreased serum PTH-(1-84) levels from a mean of 23.2 +/- 2.0 (+/- SE) to 6.4 +/- 1.0 and 5.6 +/- 1.0 ng/L for the rapid and slow infusions, respectively, with no obvious rate dependence. The rapid or slow EDTA infusions increased serum PTH levels to the same maximal extent (95.0 +/- 20.2 and 99.9 +/- 14.5 ng/L, respectively), also with no significant rate dependence. Thus, there was no effect of the rate of change of calcium on the PTH response, which was reflected in similar inverse sigmoidal relationships between PTH and serum total and plasma ionized calcium when the data for the slow and rapid infusions were pooled separately. Similar sigmoidal curves were found in normal women. These data suggest the feasibility of using calcium and EDTA infusions combined with an intact PTH assay to define the relationships between circulating levels of PTH-(1-84) and calcium in states of normal and deranged parathyroid physiology.

Adult↗