The Response of Intestinal Calcium Transport to 25-Hydroxy and 1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D in Nephrectomized Rats

Abstract

Nephrectomy but not uremia induced by bilateral ureteral ligation prevents the intestinal calcium transport response to 25- hydroxy vitamin D3. However, it does not prevent the response to 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. These results clearly establish the 1,25 derivative or a further metabolite thereof as the metabolically active form of vitamin D3 in the intestine. This together with the fact that the kidney is the sole site of synthesis of the 1,25 derivative, suggests that 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 may be of great value in preventing and treating bone disease associated with chronic renal failure. (Endocrinology90: 605, 1972)