The clinical use of synthetic 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol
The effects of chemically synthesized 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) were evaluated in 2 clinical settings: hypoparathyroidism and chronic renal failure. The material was administered orally in all cases. In hypoparathyroidism 0.25 μg of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was effective in maintaining normal serum calcium levels. In chronic renal failure small amounts (0.5–1.0 μg) of 1,25-(OH)2D3 suppressed parathyroid hormone levels in patients without radiological evidence of bone disease but failed to do so when bone disease was present, although some radiological healing did occur.