Renal failure due to tumor-induced hypercalcaemea: mechanisms and treatment

Determinants for serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in primary hyperparathyroidism

Serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), C-terminal immunoreactive PTH (iPTH), calcium and phosphate, and endogenous creatinine clearance (Clcr) were measured in 34 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Clcr ranged from 13 to 161 ml/min (mean 72). S-iPTH was elevated in 82% of the patients and correlated positively to serum calcium (r = 0.74, P less than 0.001) and inversely to Clcr (r = -0.50, P less than 0.02). S-25(OH)D3 was reduced in 28% of the patients and depended on regular multivitamin supplementation (P less than 0.005). S-1,25(OH)2D3 was increased in 26% of the patients and decreased in 9%. It was positively correlated to S-25(OH)D3 (r = 0.39, P less than 0.05) and Clcr (r = 0.42, P less than 0.02) and inversely to serum levels of calcium (r = -0.39, P less than 0.05), phosphate (r = -0.42, P less than 0.02) and iPTH (r = -0.40, P less than 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed a positive correlation to 25(OH)D3 when Clcr was taken into account and to Clcr when S-25(OH)D3 was taken into account. When both variables were considered no significant partial correlations were found between S-1,25(OH)2D3 and serum calcium, phosphate and PTH, respectively. It is concluded that serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and renal function are the main determinants for S-1,25(OH)2D3 in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Bone metabolism in acute parathyroid crisis

Studies on bone metabolism described in a fatal case of acute parathyroid crisis, occurring in a 48-year-old woman in whom serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels were very high, and a 5 g parathyroid adenoma was found at operation. The histological and biochemical findings suggested a massive and acute increase in bone resorption. There was, however, no evidence of any compensatory increase in bone formation, indicating that acute parathyroid crisis is characterized by a marked dissociation between bone resorption and formation. It is suggested that a sudden fall in oestrogen levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder.