Metabolic Changes Following 500 mu g Monthly Administration of Calcidiol: A Study in Normal Females

This study was performed to investigate the effect of monthly oral administration of 500 mu g of calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)) for 4 months on both serum vitamin D levels and sequential changes of parameters of calcium metabolism; 18 normal women aged 24-72 years were investigated. There was a significant increase of serum 25(OH)D after the first administration; thereafter all values persisted significantly higher compared to the basal value (P < 0.001). Mean 1,25(OH)(2)D serum levels peaked at day 3 and then tended to stabilize following day 30. During the first month, all mean values observed following the initial administration were significantly higher than basal values. The first calcidiol dose produced a significant reduction of serum PTH levels (P < 0.001), which then remained constant over time. Concerning serum calcium and phosphorus, we were not able to demonstrate any significant change during the entire observation period. Considering the single values for both serum ionized and total calcium, the values of Ca(2+) exceeded upper limits of normal on only two occasions. Regarding biochemical markers of bone remodeling, mean changes of serum bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase activity showed a significant trend to decrease, starting at day 30. No significant changes of serum CTX values were noted. Overall, 24-h urinary excretion of calcium did not change, seven values exceeding the threshold of 4 mg/kg body weight. Monthly administration of 500 mu g of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) may be considered an alternative for vitamin D repletion, without any detrimental effect.