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)