THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF PARATHYROID EXTRACT IN STATES OF EDEMA, DIMINISHED RENAL FUNCTION AND PARATHYROID DISEASE*†

Abstract

In a study of 42 patients it was found that parathyroid extract inhibits the tubular reabsorption of phosphorus. When it is injected intravenously, the effect begins immediately and reaches a peak in an hour. The extract also transiently increases: (1) renal plasma flow, apparently due to a generalized vasodilatation which is not related to the phosphorus effect, and (2) sodium and water excretion in edematous subjects. In a group of patients with diminished filtration rates the control phosphorus reabsorption was decreased. In these cases, parathyroid extract induced the usual decrease in phosphorus reabsorption. In a patient with hyperparathyroidism, although the control phosphorus reabsorption was low, parathyroid extract did not decrease it. The difference in response was helpful in distinguishing these 2 conditions.