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R L Horst

Publications and source records attributed to R L Horst.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Effects of in vivo administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on in vitro proliferation of bovine lymphocytes.

Continuous infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the bovine elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 remained elevated until infusions were discontinued. Increased 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was associated with hypercalcemia (11 to 12 mg/dl) that continued for several days postinfusion. Elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 also was associated with a significant 70% enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation in cells treated with concanavalin A. Cessation of infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resulted in the return of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma and lymphocyte proliferative response to preinfusion amounts. Proliferation in response to pokeweed mitogen was significantly inhibited on d 3 of infusions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Administration of parathyroid hormone for 4 d resulted in a sustained hypercalcemia (approximately 13 mg/dl) and a transient 1-d increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma. Parathyroid hormone treatment generally did not affect the response of bovine lymphocytes to mitogen. In vivo elevation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is either moderately immunostimulating or exerts no effect on mitogen-stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes. These results contrast with the in vitro results suggesting that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is only immunosuppressive.

Animals↗

In vitro modulation of proliferation and phenotype of resting and mitogen-stimulated bovine mononuclear leukocytes by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on the proliferation and phenotype of normal bovine peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) were studied in vitro. Resting and pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated MNL cultures were supplemented with 1.0 nM of 1,25(OH)2D3 at the beginning of the culture period. Leukocytes were removed from 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 14-day unsupplemented and 1.25(OH)2D3-supplemented cultures, and were counted and phenotyped using monoclonal antibodies to bovine leukocyte surface antigens. Cell numbers in resting MNL cultures decreased with time and were unaffected by 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. The progressive increase in cell numbers in PWM-stimulated MNL cultures was suppressed, but not abolished by 1,25(OH)2D3. Suppression was greatest in PWM-stimulated 6- to 12-day cultures. Cellular composition of resting MNL cultures was unaffected by 1,25(OH)2D3. Pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cultures supplemented with 1,25(OH)2D3 had fewer total T-cells and CD4+ T-cells at 6-14 days. In contrast, numbers of CD8+ T-cells were significantly higher in 1,25(OH)2D3-supplemented cultures at 6, 10, and 14 days. Effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations were manifested by a significant reduction in the CD4+:CD8+ T-cell ratios in 6- to 14-day cultures. Proliferation of IL-2 receptor+ and MHC class II antigen+ cells was also reduced in supplemented 6- to 14-day cultures, indicating events associated with PWM-induced MNL activation were suppressed by 1,25(OH)2D3. These findings indicate that 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates the proliferation and differentiation of bovine MNL in vitro. Our results also suggest that changes in plasma or tissue 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations that occur during the peripartum period and in clinical cases of milk fever may regulate the bovine immune system in vivo.

Animals↗

Oral administration of calcium salts for treatment of hypocalcemia in cattle.

Milk fever is usually treated by i.v. administration of 8 to 10 g of Ca. Oral Ca salts have been suggested as an alternate treatment for milk fever. In our studies, plasma Ca concentration changes effected by various oral Ca preparations were compared. Solutions were administered by oral drenching of cows, and blood was obtained hourly. Calcium chloride increased plasma Ca better than Ca propionate, which increased plasma Ca better than Ca carbonate. A CaCl2 gel formulation increased plasma Ca better than Ca carbonate, but not as well as did Ca propionate. Concentrated solutions of Ca as CaCl2 increased plasma Ca better than diluted solutions. Rumen bypass of Ca salts increased plasma Ca concentration more than when Ca salts were placed into the rumen. Oral administration of 50 g of Ca as CaCl2 raised plasma Ca concentrations to the same extent as 4 g of Ca as CaCl2 given i.v. We also examined effects of oral Ca salts on plasma Ca concentrations of hypocalcemic periparturient cows and found that oral Ca treatment could treat mild cases of hypocalcemia. We also caution that CaCl2 use must be limited because excessive amounts cause severe metabolic acidosis.

Animals↗

Effect of dietary calcium or phosphorus restriction and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D administration on rat intestinal 24-hydroxylase.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase) modulates the biological effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] in tissues. The presence of 24-hydroxylase in intestinal mucosa and the mass of the intestine suggest that the intestine is a major site of catabolism of 1,25-(OH)2D. How intestinal levels of 24-hydroxylase are regulated under various dietary conditions, such as calcium (Ca) or phosphorus (P) restriction, is poorly understood. In a series of trials on weanling and mature rats, the effects of dietary Ca or P restriction were compared with the effects of exogenous 1,25-(OH)2D3 administration on intestinal 24-hydroxylase activity. Exogenous administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3, by single bolus injection or constant infusion, increased intestinal 24-hydroxylase activity significantly. Dietary Ca and P restriction both resulted in increased plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations several-fold above control rat values (P less than 0.001) and to levels higher than those achieved by constant infusion of 1.3 ng 1,25-(OH)2D3/h. Dietary Ca restriction increased intestinal 24-hydroxylase 6- to 20-fold above that of rats fed a Ca-replete diet (P less than 0.001). Dietary P restriction had no significant effect on intestinal 24-hydroxylase activity. These data suggest that dietary Ca restriction results in increased plasma levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3, which, in turn, leads to up-regulation of intestinal 24-hydroxylase. Conversely, dietary P restriction prevents 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated up-regulation of 24-hydroxylase.

Animals↗

Intestinal absorption of calcium and calcium metabolism in patients with essential hypertension and normal renal function.

Several abnormalities of calcium metabolism have been described in patients with essential hypertension, and they have been linked to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Intestinal calcium absorption has been shown to be decreased in rats with spontaneous hypertension, but it has not been studied in patients with essential hypertension. In these studies we have for the first time measured intestinal absorption of calcium (using oral and intravenous administration of 47Ca), along with other parameters of calcium metabolism, in 14 patients with essential hypertension and normal renal function and in 16 normal subjects. There was no difference in serum total or ionized calcium, serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), and 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D(24,25(OH)2D) among hypertensives and normotensives. The urinary excretion of calcium, on the other hand, was greater in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects (195 +/- 33 v 107 +/- 13 mg/24 h, P less than .05). There was also no difference in intestinal absorption of calcium after 2 and 24 h among hypertensives and normotensives. When hypertensive patients were stratified according to plasma renin activity (PRA) we found that patients with low PRA had higher intestinal absorption of calcium at 2 h (23 +/- 2.9 v 18 +/- 0.6%, P less than .05) but not at 24 h. Serum total and ionized calcium, PTH, and 1,25(OH)2D were not different between patients with low and those with normal-high PRA. The major derangement of calcium metabolism in patients with essential hypertension is hypercalciuria. This abnormality is more pronounced in patients with low PRA, and it may lead to increased vitamin D-dependent intestinal absorption of calcium.

Adult↗

Addition of chloride to a prepartal diet high in cations increases 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D response to hypocalcemia preventing milk fever.

In this study, we present evidence that cows fed highly cationic diets are less responsive to parathyroid hormone than those fed a highly anionic diet. Forty-seven Jersey cows (55 mo of age) were fed an alfalfa haylage-based diet supplemented with either anions (Cl-) or cations (Na+). Cows fed the high cationic diet suffered significantly more cases of milk fever (6 out of 23) than those fed the high anionic diet (1 out of 24). Concentrations of Ca at parturition and the first 2 d of lactation were significantly higher in cows fed the anionic diet. Secretion of parathyroid hormone in response to developing hypocalcemia was similar in cows fed either diet. Plasma hydroxyproline concentration (an index of bone Ca resorption activity) was greater in cows fed the anionic diet, suggesting better utilization of bone Ca. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentration was correlated inversely with plasma Ca and related directly to plasma parathyroid hormone in both groups of cows. However, the magnitude of the response (the amount of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D produced per unit increase in parathyroid hormone) was reduced greatly in cows fed the high cation diet. Because parathyroid hormone regulates both bone Ca resorption and renal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production, these data suggest that prepartal diets high in cations decrease the ability of bone and renal tissues to respond to parathyroid hormone. Addition of anions to prepartal diets can reduce the excess cation balance of diets, increasing tissue response to parathyroid hormone and enabling the cow to better adapt to the Ca demands of lactation.

Animal Feed↗

Enzymes and factors controlling vitamin D metabolism and action in normal and milk fever cows.

In milk fever (parturient paresis), calcium homeostatic mechanisms, regulated by parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, fail to maintain normal blood calcium concentrations, resulting in severe hypocalcemia. The precise nature of the endocrine defect is unknown. Secretion of parathyroid hormone and production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is similar in most cows with milk fever or without. However, there are some cows that fail to produce adequate 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D at the onset of lactation. These tend to be cows that will suffer prolonged hypocalcemia and relapse after treatment. Assuming that most cows produce adequate amounts of both hormones, the next logical cause of milk fever might be a failure of tissues to respond to calcium-regulating hormones. Older cows are more likely to develop milk fever than younger ones. We have found that tissue 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor concentrations decline with age, leaving the tissues less able to respond to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. We also have found that tissue 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor concentrations increase during pregnancy and lactation in the cow. Intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor concentration does not appear to be different in cows with or without milk fever in cows of similar ages. However, intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor numbers decrease precipitously at parturition, which may in part be responsible for the development of hypocalcemia in dairy cattle.

Absorption↗

Developmental changes in rat kidney 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor.

Kidney 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) was examined in both young and aged male Fischer 344 rats. Cytosols prepared by direct homogenization of the kidney indicated no significant difference in the amount of unoccupied VDR in young (149 +/- 8 fmol/mg) and aged (155 +/- 8 fmol/mg) rats. Binding of kidney VDR to DNA-cellulose, however, was significantly different for the two groups. The assay indicated that about 44% and 24% of the VDR prepared from young and aged rats, respectively, were bound to calf thymus DNA. Elution profiles from DNA-cellulose chromatography displayed the presence of two peaks from young kidneys, while a single broad peak was evident from aged rats. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the existence of two receptor bands at 52K and 50K. The presence of the 50K band was greatly diminished or absent in aged samples. The 50K receptor form was observed to elute from DNA-cellulose at a higher salt concentration than the 52K-form. Similarly, prepared receptor extracts from intestinal tissue produced only a single band at 52K. These results demonstrate for the first time that the rat kidney possesses two forms of the receptor which have different affinities for DNA.

Aging↗

Up-regulation of the intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor during hypervitaminosis D: a comparison between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.

Concentrations of intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor were measured in rats receiving pharmacological amounts (25,000 IU/rat daily for 6 days) of either vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. The data showed that both hypervitaminosis D2 and hypervitaminosis D3 resulted in significant up-regulation of intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (fmol/mg protein) relative to controls (409 +/- 24, vitamin D2-treated; 525 +/- 41, vitamin D3-treated; and 249 +/- 19, control). The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor enhancement also was accompanied by elevated plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and hypercalcemia. These data suggest that increased target-tissue 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor may play a role in enhancing target-tissue responsiveness and, thus, have a significant role in mediating the toxic effects of hypervitaminosis D.

Animals↗

1 alpha-hydroxylation of 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 represents a minor physiological pathway for the activation of vitamin D2 in mammals.

C24-Hydroxylation was evaluated as a possible activation pathway for vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Routine assays showed that 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 1,24-dihydroxyvitamin D2 could be detected in rats receiving physiological doses (100 IU/day) of vitamin D2; however, 24-hydroxyvitamin D3 could not be detected in rats receiving similar doses of vitamin D3. In rats, 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 was very similar to 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 at stimulating intestinal calcium transport and bone calcium resorption. The biological activity of 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 was eliminated by nephrectomy, suggesting that 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 must undergo 1 alpha-hydroxylation to be active at physiological doses. In vivo experiments suggested that when given individually to vitamin D deficient rats, 24-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were 1 alpha-hydroxylated with the same efficiency. However, when presented simultaneously, 24-hydroxyvitamin D2 was less efficiently 1 alpha-hydroxylated than either 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 or 25-hydroxyvitamin D2. 1,24-Dihydroxyvitamin D2 was also approximately 2-fold less competitive than either 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for binding sites on the bovine thymus 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor. These results demonstrate that 24-hydroxylation followed by 1 alpha-hydroxylation of vitamin D2 represents a minor activation pathway for vitamin D2 but not vitamin D3.

Animals↗

Induction of 25-OH-vitamin D3 24- and 23-hydroxylase activities in partially purified renal extracts from pigs given exogenous 1,25-(OH)2D3.

A renal mitochondrial cytochrome P 450 preparation from pigs treated with exogenous 1,25-(OH)2D3 was reconstituted with an NADPH-generating system, adrenodoxin and adrenodoxin reductase. The reconstituted system catalyzed the conversion of the substrate, 25-OH-D3, to metabolites comigrating with authentic 23,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 in both straight- and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography systems, which achieve separation of these metabolites from each other as well as from other vitamin D metabolites. The putative 23,25-(OH)2D3 product was resistant to periodate treatment, while the 24,25-(OH)2D3 product was sensitive, providing additional evidence for the identity of the products. Although induction of 24-hydroxylase activity has been studied using renal homogenates from several species, only recently have techniques become available to study the activity of the enzyme in a solubilized and reconstituted form. Using these techniques, the present study shows that production of 24,25-(OH)2D3 was increased more than 80-fold with 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment compared with untreated controls, an effect much greater than that previously observed with homogenates. In addition, production of both 23,25-(OH)2D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3 varied with substrate concentration and was consistent with a monooxygenase-linked enzyme reaction.

Animals↗

The effects of uremia and dietary phosphorus on the bone of rats.

In order to evaluate the effects of uremia and low levels of dietary phosphorus on bone, male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 320 +/- 20 g (12 weeks old) were subjected to either a two-step, subtotal nephrectomy or sham-operation (SO), and then fed a custom diet with either normal calcium (0.5%) and normal phosphorus (0.3%) (NCNP), or normal calcium and low phosphorus (0.03%). When compared to the NCNP SO group after seven days, only uremic rats fed low phosphorus diets developed osteomalacia characterized by an increase in the osteoid thickness, surface and volume, a prolonged osteoid maturation time, and a decreased bone formation rate. No other groups developed these changes. This osteomalacia was also associated with hypophosphatemia, a reduced serum PTH and an elevation in the serum 1,25(OH)2D3. It was concluded that while neither this degree of uremia nor the low phosphorus diets alone had any significant effect, the combination of uremia and low dietary phosphorus resulted in the initiation of osteomalacia. This animal model should prove useful in investigations dealing with the influence of uremia on the mineralization process.

Animals↗

The effects of the major vitamin D metabolites upon the resolution of osteomalacia in uremic adult rats.

We have previously shown that an osteomalacia dependent upon both a low phosphorus diet and uremia (five-sixth nephrectomy) can be produced rapidly in rats. This is associated with hypophosphatemia and elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). In order to investigate the role of exogenously administered vitamin D metabolites upon the resolution of this osteomalacia, 72 male Sprague Dawley rats weighting 320 +/- 20 g were subjected to a two-step, subtotal nephrectomy and subsequently fed a diet with low (0.03%) phosphorus (LP) for seven days. Groups of six rats each were then either continued on the LP diet, or switched to a nutrient-matched diet with normal (0.3%) phosphorus (NP) for an additional 10 days. During this time, the rats were infused daily with either: 27 ng 1,25(OH)2D3; 81 ng 24,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3); 135 ng 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3); both 27 ng 1,25(OH)2D3 and 81 ng 24,25(OH)2D3; or placebo. Dietary phosphorus repletion was found to reverse the osteomalacia by decreasing the growth plate thickness, the osteoid surface and volume, the osteoid maturation time, serum calcium, and plasma 1,25(OH)2D3, and by increasing the mineralizing surface, bone formation rate, and serum phosphorus. The osteomalacia was also reversed in phosphorus-repleted rats treated with 24,25(OH)2D3, with no additional effects attributable to the 24,25(OH)2D3 itself. Osteomalacia in phosphorus-repleted rats treated with 25(OH)D3 or 1,25(OH)2D3 was only partially reversed; healing was interpreted to be impaired by the elevated plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 levels present in these rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Contrasting effects of exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] versus endogenous 1,25-(OH)2D, induced by dietary calcium restriction, on vitamin D receptors.

The biological actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] are mediated by specific binding of the hormone with an intracellular vitamin D receptor, which ultimately regulates expression of genes within the target tissues. The quantity of vitamin D receptors varies between target tissues and within target tissues, depending on the physiological state of the animal. One factor that can modulate tissue vitamin D receptor content is 1,25-(OH)2D. In the present study performed in male rats, exogenous administration of 36 ng 1,25-(OH)2D3/day for 7 days increased plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations 5-fold above those in control rats (to 261 +/- 17 pg/ml). Compared with those in control rats, 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment resulted in a 1.5-fold increase in duodenal vitamin D receptor content (351 +/- 16 vs. 520 +/- 21 fmol/mg protein) and a 3-fold increase in renal vitamin D receptor content (60.3 +/- 5.2 vs. 193.8 +/- 22.7 fmol/mg protein). The effects of endogenously produced 1,25-(OH)2D on tissue vitamin D receptor content were studied by feeding rats either a 0.02% or 1% calcium diet for 2, 7, 14, or 21 days. Rats fed the low calcium diet exhibited plasma 1,25-(OH)2D concentrations similar to (day 7) or exceeding (days 14 and 21) those achieved by exogenous administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3, yet duodenal vitamin D receptor content was not up-regulated by dietary calcium restriction at any time point. The renal vitamin D receptor content of calcium restricted rats was 20-38% lower (P less than 0.05) than that in rats fed a calcium-replete diet 7, 14, and 21 days after initiation of the dietary treatments. These data suggest that under physiological conditions, increased plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D do not result in up-regulation of tissue vitamin D receptor concentrations, and that dietary calcium restriction must induce some factor(s) that results in down-regulation of vitamin D receptors in the kidney.

Animals↗

Advancing age results in reduction of intestinal and bone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor.

Target tissue 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D] receptor was monitored in adult (15- to 18-month-old) and young (4- to 5-week-old) male Holtzman rats. The concentration of unoccupied receptor (femtomoles per mg protein) was significantly higher in the intestine (666 +/- 19 vs. 162 +/- 43) and bone (61 +/- 3.7 vs. 18 +/- 2.5) of young rats compared to that in adults. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the intestinal receptor, however, remained very similar at both ages (young, 0.24 nM; adult, 0.53 nM). A similar age-related decline in unoccupied intestinal receptor was also observed in Fischer 344 rats and cows. Infusion of young and adult Holtzman rats with about 72 ng/kg BW 1,25-(OH)2D3 resulted in similar changes in the concentrations of plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 (150-160 pg/ml) in both age groups. The 1,25-(OH)2D3 infusions also resulted in significant up-regulation of unoccupied intestinal receptor (femtomoles per mg protein) from 512 +/- 27 to 780 +/- 61 in the young rats and 68 +/- 9.4 to 194 +/- 15 in the adult rats. Receptor up-regulation by 1,25-(OH)2D3 (change from control) was significantly higher (P less than 0.05) in young rats (268 +/- 51 fmol/mg protein) than in adults (125 +/- 8.2 fmol/mg protein). These data suggest that the differences in receptor number in young and adult rats may be responsible for functional changes in target tissue response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 associated with advancing age.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Parathyroid hormone down-regulates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptors (VDR) and VDR messenger ribonucleic acid in vitro and blocks homologous up-regulation of VDR in vivo.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3) is a known up-regulator of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor (VDR) both in vitro and in vivo. However, a 5- to 10-fold increase in plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 induced by dietary calcium deficiency does not result in up-regulation of intestinal VDR, and kidney VDR is down-regulated. Under certain physiological stresses, an increase in plasma PTH precedes increased plasma 1,25(OH)2D3. Therefore, the present study examined the effect of PTH on VDR regulation in vitro in ROS 17/2.8 cells and in vivo in male Holtzman rats. Treatment of ROS cells with PTH (0-5 nM) resulted in a dose and time-dependent decline in VDR from 95 +/- 9 to 35 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein at 18 h of exposure. The ED50 for PTH was 1 nM. This decline in VDR protein was attended by a 50% decline in VDR messenger RNA (mRNA). The PTH-mediated down-regulation of VDR occurred without affecting the affinity of VDR for 1,25(OH)2D3 as determined by Scatchard analysis. Also, the effect of PTH on VDR regulation was specific since cell glucocorticoid receptor concentration was not affected by PTH treatment. In accompanying experiments, 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 treatment of ROS cells was shown to result in a 3- to 4-fold increased expression of VDR and VDR mRNA. The simultaneous addition of PTH and 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3 resulted in inhibition of the 1,25(OH)2[3H]D3-mediated up-regulation of VDR and VDR mRNA. Similarly, PTH also inhibited heterologous up-regulation of VDR and VDR mRNA induced by retinoic acid. In in vivo experiments, rats infused for 5 days with 1,25(OH)2D3 (1.5 ng/h) increased their expression of intestinal VDR, kidney VDR, and kidney 24-hydroxylase by 31, 336, and 4000%, respectively. Coinfusion of PTH (1.8 IU/h) along with 1,25(OH)2D3 completely inhibited the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated increases in intestinal VDR and kidney 24-hydroxylase and reduced the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated up-regulation of kidney VDR by more than half. These data suggest that PTH is a potent down-regulator of VDR and that PTH and 1,25(OH)2D3 have opposing effects on the expression of certain genes.

Animals↗

Effect of subcutaneously released 24F-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on incidence of parturient paresis in dairy cows.

Twenty-one aged Jersey cows were fed a high calcium diet prior to parturition to predispose them to parturient paresis. Eleven cows were implanted subcutaneously with pellets containing 24F-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 7 d before the expected date of parturition and thereafter at 7-d intervals until parturition. Ten cows were left untreated to serve as controls. Incidence of parturient paresis among control animals was 80% (8/10). Treatment reduced the incidence of parturient paresis to 9% (1/11). The mean observed plasma calcium concentration nadir of implanted cows was 6.61 +/- .40 mg/dl, which was significantly greater than the plasma calcium nadir of 4.45 +/- .39 mg/dl observed in the control cows. Two steers were implanted with and three nonpregnant, nonlactating cows received intramuscular injections of 24F-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 to contrast circulating plasma concentrations achieved by the two routes. Intramuscular injection and implantation resulted in plasma 24F-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations above 300 pg/ml for the first 48 h after administration. From d 4 until d 11 after administration, plasma concentration was maintained between 164 and 89 pg/ml in the implanted steers. Plasma concentration was undetectable 7 d after an intramuscular injection. These data indicate that, with refinement, sustained release of 24F-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 can be successfully used to reduce the incidence of parturient paresis.

Animals↗