calcitonin and Calcinosis

The effects of salmon calcitonin on calcium overload and its deposition in the rat aorta was studied. Calcitonin administered 4 days to rats i.p. in doses of 10 IU/kg body weight blocked the development of calcinosis induced by a single dose of vitamin D3 (300,000 IU/kg body weight, orally). This was demonstrated biochemically, histochemically and by electron microscopic methods.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Aortic Diseases; Calcinosis; Calcitonin; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

We examined the effects of the acute administration of salmon calcitonin on phosphate metabolism in tumoral calcinosis. On two different days, 200 MRC U of the synthetic hormone were administered sc to a 38-year-old patient, either as twice daily 100 MRC U injections, or as a continuous sc infusion via a portable pump. Both ways of calcitonin administration elicited a phosphaturic effect and a lowering of serum phosphate level comparable with that observed after an iv infusion of calcitonin. 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D level, which was in the normal range during a control study, increased after calcitonin administration. In our patient, long term therapy with diet, a phosphate-binding agent and calcitonin prevented the occurrence of new ectopic calcifications. Owing to its phosphaturic activity, synthetic salmon calcitonin may be a useful adjunct to diet and aluminium-containing antacids in long-term management of tumoral calcinosis.

Topics: Adult; Calcinosis; Calcitonin; Female; Hormones; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Phosphates