Sensitization to Calciphylaxis by Endogenous Parathyroid Hormone

Abstract

Earlier work has shown that pretreatment with parathyroid extract sensitizes the rat to the production of a calciphylactic syndrome characterized by selective calcinosis in the left auricular appendage and the extrahepatic bile-duct system. The present experiments indicate that similar sensitization can be achieved by bilateral nephrectomy, but only in the presence of the parathyroids. Hence, it may be concluded that autologous parathyroid hormone in amounts secreted by the glands can act as a calciphylactic sensitizer.