Oral administration of active
vitamin D3 can reduce the loss of bone mass and the incidence of fractures in patients with
osteoporosis in Japan. We conducted a prospective study to confirm the effects of 1 alpha(
OH)D3 (
Alfacalcidol, Alfarol Chugai Tokyo) on bone and
calcium metabolism in elderly women with
osteoporosis. Enrolled in the present study were 16 elderly
osteoporosis women aged 72.6 +/- 4.5 years to whom 1 microgram of 1 alpha(
OH)D3 was administered daily. Fasting blood and urine were obtained at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after the treatment. Monitored parameters were
vitamin D metabolites, intact-PTH, bone
alkaline phosphatase (BAP),
osteocalcin (OC),
deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and pyridiuium crosslinked
type I collagen telopeptides (CTx). Serum 1 alpha, 25(
OH)2D and PTH levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01) and decreased (p < 0.05), respectively at 1 week after commencing administration. There was a significant decrease of DPD (p < 0.05) at 12 weeks after commencing administration compared to the baseline levels. Serum levels of BAP and OC were found elevated at 1 week, and decreased at 12 weeks. In conclusion, the present study clinically confirmed that 1 alpha(
OH)D3 stimulates bone formation in vitro. Long-term administration of 1 alpha(
OH)D3 indirectly suppressed
bone resorption through the suppression of parathyroid function in the elderly.