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M J Favus

Publications and source records attributed to M J Favus.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Chlorthalidone promotes mineral retention in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria.

In seven patients with severe idiopathic hypercalciuria and recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis, we have determined the effects on mineral balance of chronic treatment with chlorthalidone or trichlormethiazide, drugs that are widely used to lower urine calcium losses and reduce stone recurrence. Each person excreted above 350 mg of calcium daily while untreated, and was studied twice, before and after three to six months of treatment. Compared to pretreatment, the drugs reduced intestinal calcium absorption; but they reduced urine calcium loss even more, so calcium retention increased. Phosphate retention also increased. Serum levels of calcitriol, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium were unchanged. At least in patients of this type, chlorthalidone and trichlormethiazide seem ideal treatments, that lower urine calcium yet increase calcium and phosphate retention. Whether patients with less severe hypercalciuria respond this way is unknown.

Adult↗

Evidence for in vivo upregulation of the intestinal vitamin D receptor during dietary calcium restriction in the rat.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] increases intestinal calcium absorption through events that include binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to the intracellular vitamin D receptor. In vitro studies using mammalian cell cultures reveal an increase in vitamin D receptor content after exposure to 1,25(OH)2D3. To test the hypothesis that 1,25(OH)2D3 increases enterocyte vitamin D receptor content in vivo, male rats were fed either a normal calcium diet (NCD, 1.2% Ca) or low calcium diet (LCD, 0.002% Ca). After 21 d LCD increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels (27 +/- 3 vs. 181 +/- 17 pg/ml, P less than 0.001) and increased transepithelial mucosal to serosal calcium fluxes (Jms) across duodenum (65 +/- 21 vs. 204 +/- 47 nmol/cm2.h, NCD vs. LCD, P less than 0.01) and jejunum (23 +/- 3 vs. 46 +/- 4, P less than 0.007). No change in serosal to mucosal calcium fluxes (Jsm) were observed. LCD increased 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor number threefold in duodenum (32.9 +/- 6.7 vs. 98.7 +/- 13.7 fmol 1,25(OH)2D3/mg protein) and jejunum (34.1 +/- 9.5 vs. 84.9 +/- 7.7) without a change in the receptor affinity for 1,25(OH)2D3 (Kd is 0.17 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.02 nM for NCD and LCD duodenum, respectively). Duodenal polyadenylated vitamin D receptor mRNA determined by Northern blot analysis did not increase appreciably during LCD, suggesting that upregulation in vivo may not be due primarily to increased receptor synthesis. The results of this study indicate that under physiologic conditions as during chronic dietary calcium restriction, increased intestinal vitamin D receptor content accompanies increased calcium active transport. Upregulation of the vitamin D receptor by 1,25(OH)2D3 may result primarily from posttranslational processes that decrease degradation of the receptor with increased receptor synthesis responsible for a negligible portion of the accumulation.

Animals↗

Mechanism of hypercalciuria in genetic hypercalciuric rats. Inherited defect in intestinal calcium transport.

Excessive urine calcium excretion in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria may involve a primary increase in intestinal calcium absorption, overproduction of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or a defect in renal tubular calcium reabsorption. To determine the mechanism of hypercalciuria in an animal model, hypercalciuria was selected for in rats and the most hypercalciuric animals inbred. Animals from the fourth generation were utilized to study mineral balance and intestinal transport in relation to levels of serum 1,25(OH)2D3. Both urine calcium excretion and net intestinal calcium absorption were greater in hypercalciuric males (HM) than in normocalciuric males (NM) and in hypercalciuric females (HF) than in normocalciuric females (NF). However, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was lower in HM than in NM and not different in HF than in NF. Net calcium balance was more positive in HM than in NM and in HF than in NF. In vitro duodenal calcium net flux was correlated with serum 1,25(OH)2D3 in HM and HF and in NM and NF. However, with increasing serum 1,25(OH)2D3 there was greater calcium net flux in hypercalciuric rats than in normocalciuric controls. Hypercalciuria in this colony of hypercalciuric rats is due to a primary intestinal overabsorption of dietary calcium and not an overproduction of 1,25(OH)2D3 or a defect in the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium.

Animals↗

Evidence for calcium-dependent control of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 production by rat kidney proximal tubules.

The role of calcium in the parathyroid hormone-mediated increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) production was evaluated using isolated proximal tubules from rats fed a low calcium diet (0.002% Ca) for 14 days. Tubules were prepared by collagenase digestion and centrifugation through Percoll. Tubules from rats fed a low calcium diet produced 1,25-(OH)2D3 at rates 10 times that of tubules from rats fed normal calcium diet (1.2% Ca). In vitro 1,25-(OH)2D3 biosynthesis was highly dependent upon extracellular calcium with inhibition in the absence of medium calcium and maximal production at 0.25 mM medium calcium (0.9 +/- 0.25 versus 15.1 +/- 2.3 nmol/mg protein/5 min, p less than 0.03). Inhibition of 1,25-(OH)2D3 production was partly due to depressed ATP content (0 versus 1.2 mM calcium, 6.8 +/- 0.6 versus 12.7 +/- 0.6 nmol/mg protein, p less than 0.006). EGTA reduced 1,25-(OH)2D3 synthesis and total cell calcium and ATP production. Ruthenium red blocked the inhibitory effects of EGTA on 1,25-(OH)2D3 production. Barium (1.0 mM) inhibited 1,25-(OH)2D3 production (7.2 +/- 0.5 versus 3.4 +/- 0.3, p less than 0.001) without altering ATP production. The calcium ionophore A23187 increased 1,25-(OH)2D3 production in a calcium-dependent manner. It is concluded that parathyroid hormone-mediated increases in 1,25-(OH)2D3 production, as during low calcium diet, require extracellular calcium. Extracellular calcium maintains mitochondrial calcium at optimal concentrations for normal ATP production, a requirement for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-hydroxylase (25-OH-D3-1-hydroxylase) activity. Inhibition of 25-OH-D3-1-hydroxylase activity by barium without an alteration of ATP suggests calcium may also control 1,25-(OH)2D3 production independent of its effects on oxidative phosphorylation, perhaps through a direct interaction with one or more components of the 25-OH-D3-1-hydroxylase.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase↗

Effects of medium pH on duodenal and ileal calcium active transport in the rat.

To study the effect of pH on Ca active transport in vitro pH was varied from 7.1 to 7.7, and bidirectional transmural Ca fluxes were measured under short-circuited conditions across duodenum or ileum from rats fed either normal chow (NCD, 1.2% Ca) or low Ca (LCD, 0.002% Ca). Duodenum and ileum from rats fed LCD actively absorbed calcium at medium pH 7.4. Reduction in mucosal and serosal medium bicarbonate from 25 to 10 mM (pH 7.4 to 7.1) decreased duodenal net Ca absorption (Jnet) from 121 +/- 32 to 39 +/- 9 nmol X cm-2 X h-1 (P less than 0.02) and ileal Jnet from 74 +/- 13 to 22 +/- 6 (P less than 0.01). The decline in duodenal and ileal Ca Jnet was due to a decrease in the mucosal-to-serosal flux (Jm----s). Raising medium pH from 7.4 to 7.7 by increasing bicarbonate from 25 to 50 mM did not alter Ca Jm----s, serosal-to-mucosal flux (Js----m), or Jnet X Ca fluxes across ileum from rats fed NCD demonstrated net secretion. LCD ileal Jm----s was unaltered when pH was reduced from 7.4 to 7.1 by increasing the PCO2 content of the buffer from 30 to 81 mmHg while maintaining bicarbonate at 24 mM. The results indicate that in vitro conditions that simulate metabolic acidosis (low bicarbonate and pH, normal PCO2) inhibit 1,25D-mediate calcium Jm----s, whereas conditions that simulate respiratory acidosis have no effect on Ca fluxes. The present studies suggest that decreases in calcium Jm----s is by a primary alteration in transport of other ions rather than direct effect on Ca transport.

Animals↗

Mechanism of chronic hypercalciuria with furosemide: increased calcium absorption.

Furosemide produces chronic hypercalciuria. The source of the additional urinary calcium is not known but must be either bone mineral or calcium absorbed by the intestine. Without bone calcium dissolution or increased absorption the filtered load of calcium would fall and urinary calcium excretion would return to pretreatment levels. To determine whether furosemide alters intestinal calcium absorption, we fed furosemide (75 mg . kg body-1 wt . day-1) to 11 rats eating 15 g/day of a 0.60% calcium diet. Compared with 11 control rats, furosemide increased urine calcium (15.6 +/- 0.8 mg/5 days vs. 4.1 +/- 0.3, P less than 0.001). Fecal calcium excretion fell (194 +/- 7 mg/5 days vs. 223 +/- 12, P less than 0.05), indicating an increase in intestinal calcium absorption sufficient to sustain the hypercalciuria. The increase in absorption occurred without an increase in the level of serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (180 +/- 20 pg/ml vs. 220 +/- 16, furosemide vs. control, respectively, P = NS). To determine whether the intestinal effect of furosemide persists after the initial sodium diuresis abates, we analyzed only the last 3 days of balance. Again, rats fed furosemide had increased urine excretion and intestinal absorption of calcium, so that net calcium balance was not different from that of controls. Twelve additional rats were fed a 0.02% calcium diet to which 35 mg . kg body wt-1 . day-1 of furosemide was added. Compared with eleven controls, urine calcium increased and fecal calcium excretion again fell, but balance was not different. Chronic administration of furosemide increases intestinal calcium absorption enough to permit urine calcium excretion to remain elevated without the necessity for bone dissolution.

Animals↗

Ca and P regulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis by vitamin D-replete rat tubules during acidosis.

Elevated blood ionized Ca concentration appears to be necessary for suppression by chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA) of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] levels in vitamin D-replete rats eating a low-Ca diet (LCD). The present study asks whether in vitro 1,25(OH)2D3 production by proximal tubule cells from such rats is suppressed and whether suppression can be reversed in vitro by an altered ionic milieu. Young rats were fed LCD and given 1.5% NH4Cl in their drinking water for 10 days to produce CMA. Compared with controls, CMA rats had low serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels. Tubules prepared from CMA rats produced 1,25(OH)2D3 at a low rate compared with control; variation of medium Ca and pH from 7.2 to 7.4 did not increase 1,25(OH)2D3 production. Reducing medium phosphorus concentration ([P]) increased 1,25(OH)2D3 production by tubules from control but not CMA rats. Increasing medium [P] increased 1,25(OH)2D3 production by tubules from CMA but not control rats. CMA appears to alter proximal tubule cell response to medium [P] so that 1,25(OH)2D3 production rises when medium [P] is increased but not when it is reduced. Medium pH and Ca concentration do not appear to be important regulators of renal 1,25(OH)2D3 production in short-term incubations.

Acidosis↗

Vitamin D metabolism and osteomalacia in cystic fibrosis.

A 25-yr-old black man with cystic fibrosis and cirrhosis developed symptoms of osteomalacia and hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and low circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD). Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-[OH]2D) was within the normal range. Iliac crest bone biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of osteomalacia. Oral administration of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 failed to relieve symptoms or raise serum 25-OHD levels to normal. Intramuscular vitamin D2, 10,000 IU every 8-12 week, improved symptoms, raised serum 25-OHD to normal, and increased circulating 1,25-[OH]2D to values five times normal. Over the next 10 mo circulating 1,25-[OH]2D remained elevated despite normalization of serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone. Repeat bone biopsy 1 yr after parenteral vitamin D showed healing of the osteomalacia. Malabsorption of vitamin D appears secondary to profound steatorrhea due to pancreatic insufficiency and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Although extensive hepatocellular disease was present, hepatic conversion of vitamin D to 25-OHD was intact. Both high and low circulating 1,25-[OH]2D levels during active osteomalacia have been reported; initially, the level was in the normal range and higher values in this patient occurred with repletion of 25-OHD substrate. This study shows that symptomatic osteomalacia may be a major manifestation of cystic fibrosis in those patients surviving into adulthood. Measurements of serum 25-OHD in cystic fibrosis patients may identify those who should receive supplemental vitamin D.

Adult↗

Factors that influence absorption and secretion of calcium in the small intestine and colon.

Intestinal epithelium absorbs calcium by an energy-dependent cellular process that is stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. Calcium entry across the brush border is driven by existing electrochemical gradients; exit across the basolateral membrane against these same gradients is driven by a calcium-activated ATPase, sodium-calcium exchange, or both. The specific cellular sites of 1,25(OH)2D3 action remain to be identified. Calcium transport is independent of phosphate and influenced by sodium. Sodium may alter calcium transport at the brush border through alterations of the transmembrane electrical gradient and at the basolateral membrane by exchange with intracellular calcium. The segmental distribution of calcium active transport is heterogeneous, with maximal flux rates in the proximal portions of small intestine and colon and net secretion in mid- and distal small intestine and mid- and distal colon. 1,25(OH)2D3 converts regions of net secretion in ileum and colon to net absorption. 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated active phosphate transport is largely confined to areas of low-calcium transport, with maximal phosphate absorption in jejunum, the site of maximal calcium secretion. Calcium secretion, primarily in jejunum and ileum, is nonsaturable, may follow the paracellular pathway, and is stimulated by mucosal sodium and somatostatin.

Absorption↗

Effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and calcium channel blockers on cecal calcium transport in the rat.

To determine whether calcium transport across rat cecum is vitamin D dependent, we measured in vitro bidirectional calcium fluxes under short-circuited conditions across cecum from rats that were vitamin D deficient, vitamin D replete, or vitamin D deficient or vitamin D replete and injected with either 10, 25, or 75 ng of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] daily for 4 days before study. Vitamin D deficiency decreased net calcium absorption (Jnet) by reducing the mucosal-to-serosal absorptive flux (Jm----s) from 168 +/- 18 to 33 +/- 5 nmol X cm-2 X h-1 (mean +/- SE, P less than 0.0001). Twenty-five nanograms of 1,25(OH)2D3 raised Jm----s to 124 +/- 17 nmol X cm-2 X h-1, not different from values in vitamin D-replete rats. Although active calcium absorption by cecum appears to respond to vitamin D, calcium Jm----s is near maximal under normal conditions, and further stimulation follows only pharmacological doses of 1,25(OH)2D3. The in vitro addition of the calcium channel blocker verapamil (5 X 10(-5) M) to the mucosal side of cecum from vitamin D-replete rats reduced calcium Jm----s, but lower concentrations of verapamil or nitrendipine (10(-5) to 10(-9) M) did not reduce calcium Jm----s. The lack of inhibition by low concentrations of channel blockers suggest that the plasma membrane channels for calcium translocation across intestinal epithelium may not be analogous to voltage-dependent calcium channels in excitable tissue. The inhibition of cecal calcium transport that was blocked by high concentrations of verapamil may represent a nonspecific effect of the agent.

Animals↗

Response of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 to variation of ionized calcium during chronic acidosis.

Chronic ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) administration causes metabolic acidosis and prevents the normal rise of serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] during a low-calcium diet (LCD, 0.002% calcium). The suppression of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was not due to reduced parathyroid hormone concentration, elevated serum phosphorus, or total calcium concentration. Acidosis increased blood ionized Ca [Ca2+] and proton [H+] concentrations. Serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were inversely correlated with both [Ca2+] and [H+]. To determine the independent effects of [Ca2+] on serum 1,25(OH)2D3 we varied [Ca2+] at a constant [H+] by infusing either EGTA or saline for 24 h after 11 days of LCD and NH4Cl. EGTA, preequilibrated with three concentrations of Ca, lowered [Ca2+] and raised 1,25(OH)2D3 but did not alter [H+] or serum phosphorus concentration. The log of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 varied linearly and inversely with arterial blood [Ca2+] during saline (r = -0.884, n = 8, P less than 0.001) and EGTA infusions (r = -0.798, n = 22, P less than 0.001). At all levels of [Ca2+], rats infused with EGTA had a higher serum 1,25(OH)2D3 than those infused with saline. Log serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was correlated neither with [H+] nor pH. Elevated [Ca2+] and not [H+] appears to suppress the serum 1,25(OH)2D3 response to LCD during NH4Cl acidosis in the rat.

Acidosis↗

Evidence that blood ionized calcium can regulate serum 1,25(OH)2D3 independently of parathyroid hormone and phosphorus in the rat.

This study asks whether arterial blood ionized calcium concentration (Ca++) can regulate the serum level of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] independently of serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH). We infused either PTH (bovine 1-34, 10 U/kg body wt/h) or saline into awake and unrestrained rats for 24 h, through a chronic indwelling catheter. PTH raised total serum calcium and arterial blood ionized calcium, yet serum 1,25(OH)2D3 fell from 35 +/- 6 (mean +/- SEM, n = 10) with saline to 12 +/- 3 pg/ml (n = 11, P less than 0.005 vs. saline). To determine if the decrease in serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was due to the elevated Ca++, we infused PTH into other rats for 24 h, along with varying amounts of EGTA. Infusion of PTH + 0.67 micron/min EGTA reduced Ca++, and 1,25(OH)2D3 rose to 90 +/- 33 (P less than 0.02 vs. PTH alone). PTH + 1.00 micron/min EGTA lowered Ca++ more, and 1,25(OH)2D3 increased to 148 +/- 29 (P less than 0.01 vs. saline or PTH alone). PTH + 1.33 micron/min EGTA lowered Ca++ below values seen with saline or PTH alone, and 1,25(OH)2D3 rose to 267 +/- 46 (P less than 0.003 vs. all other groups). Thus, during PTH infusion lowering Ca++ with EGTA raised 1,25(OH)2D3 progressively. There were no differences in serum phosphorus concentration or in arterial blood pH in any group infused with PTH. The log of serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was correlated inversely with Ca++ in all four groups infused with PTH (r = -0.737, n = 31, P less than 0.001), and also when the saline group was included (r = -0.677, n = 41, P less than 0.001). The results of this study indicate that serum 1,25(OH)2D3 may be regulated by Ca++ independent of PTH and serum phosphorus levels in the rat. Since 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates gastrointestinal calcium absorption, there may be direct feedback control of 1,25(OH)2D3, by its regulated ion, Ca++.

Animals↗

Role of fetal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production in intrauterine phosphorus and calcium homeostasis.

During intrauterine life, fetal mineral accretion depends on active transfer from mother to fetus by the placenta. To evaluate the role of fetal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in regulation of fetal phosphorus, calcium, and parathyroid homeostasis, studies were performed in ewes and their fetal lambs. Fetal nephrectomy caused a rise in fetal serum phosphorus and a fall in total calcium 5 days after nephrectomy. Fetal blood ionized calcium also fell and serum parathyroid hormone rose. In sham-nephrectomized fetuses, all four measurements were unchanged compared to control values. Simultaneous maternal values of ionized calcium were normal in control and nephrectomized fetuses. Fetal ureteral severance and drainage of urine into the fetal peritoneal cavity produced none of the effects of fetal nephrectomy. Daily intravenous injection of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D into fetuses after nephrectomy prevented the rise in serum phosphate, and serum calcium did not fall. The results suggest that fetal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D regulates fetal phosphate homeostasis, perhaps by the placenta, which in turn regulates blood-ionized calcium concentration.

Animals↗

Effects of dietary calcium restriction on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 net synthesis by rat proximal tubules.

We measured in vitro 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) production by kidney proximal tubules prepared by Percoll density centrifugation from male and female rats. 1,25(OH)2D3 in tubule extracts was determined by a sensitive and specific radioreceptor assay. Ingestion of diets adequate in vitamin D3 and containing either normal calcium (1.2% Ca, NC), reduced calcium (0.6% Ca, RCD) or low calcium (0.002% Ca, LCD) increased 1,25(OH)2D3 net synthesis (for male rats, NC vs. RCD vs. LCD 1.8 +/- 0.1 SEM vs. 9 +/- 2 vs. 17 +/- 2 pmol/mg protein/20 min; P less than 0.05 for all comparisons). At either level of reduced calcium intake, tubules from male rats produced more 1,25(OH)2D3 than tubules from females. Serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and tubule cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content rose in parallel with progressive dietary calcium restriction, and males had higher circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 and tubule cAMP content than females at each level of reduced calcium intake. L-Epinephrine (10(-4) mol/L), in vitro, increased tubule accumulation of 1,25(OH)2D3 and cAMP. Yohimbine, and alpha 2-receptor antagonist, blocked this response, whereas prazosin was without effect. Increased 1,25(OH)2D3 net synthesis by tubules from male vs. female rats partly explains the higher serum levels and enhanced mineral conservation demonstrated previously in male rats. Preparation of proximal tubules from vitamin D-replete rats permits studies in vitro of 1,25(OH)2D3 production and regulation under more physiologic conditions in which parathyroid hormone, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium may be varied independently.

Animals↗

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on colonic calcium transport in vitamin D-deficient and normal rats.

To determine whether prior vitamin D intake influences the intestinal calcium absorptive action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], we measured in vitro the two unidirectional transepithelial fluxes of calcium across descending colon segments from rats fed either a vitamin D-deficient or normal diet and injected with either 10, 25, or 75 ng of 1,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle alone. Vitamin D deficiency abolished net calcium absorption [J net, -2 +/- 2 vs. 12 +/- 2 (SE) nmol X cm-2 X h-1, P less than 0.001], and 10 ng of 1,25(OH)2D3 raised J net to levels found in normal rats. Larger doses (25 and 75 ng) increased J net above levels in normal rats given the same dose. In normal rats only 75 ng of 1,25(OH)2D3 increased calcium J net above vehicle control values (12 +/- 2 vs. 38 +/- 4 nmol X cm-2 X h-1, P less than 0.001). Circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 measured by radioreceptor assay was well correlated with calcium transport. For each dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 higher serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels were reached in vitamin D-deficient rats. Only the 75-ng dose increased circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 and colonic calcium transport in normal rats. Intravenous [3H]-1,25(OH)2D3 disappeared more rapidly from the circulation of normal rats, suggesting that accelerated metabolic degradative processes for 1,25(OH)2D3 may be present in normal but not in vitamin D-deficient rats and may account for the lack of a biological response to 1,25(OH)2D3 in normal animals.

Animals↗

Effects of lactose on calcium absorption and secretion by rat ileum.

The direct effects of lactose on net intestinal calcium absorption were determined by measuring unidirectional steady-state calcium fluxes in vitro under short-circuited conditions in segments of rat ileum. The isosmotic mucosal additions in segments of rat ileum. The isosmotic mucosal addition of lactose (160 mM) increased net calcium absorption (J net) by increasing the absorptive flux from mucosa to serosa (Jm----s) and reducing the secretory flux from serosa to mucosa (Js----m). Lactose also reduced tissue conductance and short-circuit current and reversed tissue polarity. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 administration (50 ng/day for 4 days) increased J net from secretion to no net flux (Jm----s = Js----m), and lactose increased J net further to net absorption. Removal of sodium from the medium, like lactose addition, increased J net by increasing Jm----s and reducing Js----m. The replacement of medium sodium with choline abolished a further increase of J net by lactose. These results show that lactose increases net calcium absorption in the absence of transepithelial electrochemical or osmotic gradients. Transcellular calcium transport may be stimulated by lactose by hyperpolarization of the brush border as a result of reduced mucosal sodium.

Absorption↗

Elevated 1,25(OH)2D3, intestinal absorption, and renal mineral conservation in male rats.

We studied the physiological importance of elevated serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] in male rats. Male and female rats of equal weight consumed either a high calcium diet (1.20% calcium; HCD), a low calcium diet (0.02% calcium; LCD), or a normal calcium diet (0.60% calcium; NCD). With all three diets, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was higher in males than females and rose in both sexes with decreasing diet calcium. There was a direct correlation between serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and proximal duodenal 45Ca uptake (r = 0.667; P less than 0.001). With NCD, we performed a balance study and found a direct correlation between serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and both 5-day fractional calcium absorption (r = 0.703; P less than 0.01) and fractional phosphorus absorption (r = 0.679; P less than 0.01). In addition, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 was directly correlated with 5-day calcium retention (r = 0.772; P less than 0.001) and phosphorus retention (r = 0.830; P less than 0.001). Males grew faster than females (F ratio = 1,194; P less than 0.001). Elevated 1,25(OH)2D3 in males appears to be of biological significance and may help satisfy a greater, growth-related, need for calcium.

Absorption↗