Effects of excess 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in young rats

Effects of vitamin D derivatives on soft tissue calcification in neonatal and calcium mobilization in adult rats

The activity of 18 vitamin D analogs on soft tissue calcification and growth impairment in neonatal rats and their effect on bone calcium mobilization, intestinal calcium absorption and binding to intestinal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors in adult rats were compared. Depending on the chemical modification of the vitamin D parent compounds, they could be separated into active and inactive analogs. Cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol were similarly active, but epimerization of ergocalciferol at carbon 23 caused loss of activity. Hexafluorination at carbon 26 and 27 and the introduction of a double bond at carbon 22 or 23 had no or little effect on the activity. The loss of activity was caused by the introduction of a triple bond at carbon 23 and by hydroxylation at carbon 23, 26 or 28. The differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60) induced by these derivatives was used as a parameter for antitumour activity. All six analogs, which markedly affected calcium metabolism, were highly active in HL-60 cells. However, at least three derivatives were highly active in the antitumour test but failed to induce hypercalcemia. Thus, these results indicate that it could be possible to develop medically useful vitamin D derivatives devoid of hypercalcemic side-effects.

Effects of increased doses of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 on matrix and DNA synthesis in condylar cartilage of suckling mice

The in vivo effects of high doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 were studied in condylar cartilage of suckling mice. Seven-day-old animals were treated with 20 ng of the hormone for 7 consecutive days. Biochemical assays on collagen content and synthesis were complemented by structural studies using light and electron microscopy. Indirect immunofluorescent methods were used for the localization of type I and II collagens and for fibronectin. This study revealed that the protein content of the condyle decreased substantially following the administration of the hormone. Protein synthesis increased in hormone-treated animals during the first 4 days but was significantly inhibited thereafter. Collagen synthesis, however, was inhibited instantaneously, followed by a decrease in the percentage of cold hydroxyproline of the total protein. Hormone-treated condyles showed a marked decrease in the distribution of type I collagen, no apparent change in the distribution of type II collagen, but an enhanced reactivity for fibronectin especially around hypertrophic chondrocytes. SDS-gel electrophoresis of collagen chains suggested that the hormone did not induce a significant change in the ratios of type I and II collagen chains, yet additional peaks became evident in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated specimens. The decrease in collagen synthesis was accompanied by ultrastructural changes in the appearance of the extracellular collagen bundles. They later appeared as a dense meshwork of collagen fibrils, a feature that was lacking in control tissues. The changes in collagen fibrillogenesis could be explained by our in vitro studies indicating a marked depression of 35S-sulfate incorporation secondary to treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3. The hormone was also found to suppress the incorporation of 3H-thymidine, hence it may be concluded that 1,25(OH)2D3, when used in high concentrations, possesses an inhibitory effect upon both the proliferative activity of the cartilage progenitor cells as well as upon the metabolic activity of the condylar cells as related to collagen and glycosaminoglycans synthesis.

Autoradiographic study of the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on bone matrix synthesis in vitamin D replete rats

An autoradiographic technique using pulse labels of [3H]proline was developed to assess the early effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on bone matrix synthesis in vitamin D replete rats. Rats, 7 days old, were given 0.25 2.5, or 25 ng of 1,25(OH)2D3 for vehicle alone subcutaneously on days 1, 3, and 5 of the experiment. Rats received a subcutaneous injection of 100 microCi [3H]proline on days 2 and 6 and were killed on day 7. Calvaria and tibia were processed for autoradiography, and morphometric methods were developed to measure the rate and amount of bone matrix formed during the experimental period. When compared to control values, the amount and rate of formation of new bone matrix were both signifIcantly decreased in rats receiving 25 ng of 1,25(OH)2D3 and slightly, but not significantly, decreased in rats receiving 2.5 ng. We conclude that administration of pharmacologic doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 to vitamin D replete rat pups impairs the formation of collagenous bone matrix.