The effects of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 on the Bone Mineral Density and Bone Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women

Kim, H Y; Park, E D

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of vitamin-D on the bone mineral density and bone metabolism in the postmenopausal women, and to compare the effect of vitamin D alone with those of premarin or premarin plus vitamin D. 250 postmenopausal women were randomly submitted to the 3 groups of treatment with 0.5microgram of vitamin D daily by oral administration [Group I ], 0.625mg of premarin once a day [Group II], and 0.625mg of premarin once a day plus 0.5microgram of vitamin D daily by oral administration [Group III]. I n all subjects, bone mineral density [BMD] of lumbar spine and femur neck, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio, and serum osteocalcin were measured before treatment and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. BMD of femur neck in Group I, Group II and Group III increased but not significantly compared to basal level at 6 months and/or 12 months of treatment. As for BMD of lumbar spine, it increased significantly during the treatment in Group II and Group III, but not in Group I . Serum osteocalcin in Group II and Group III decreased significanly at 12 months of treatment compared with Group I . Urinary calcium/creatinine ratio in Group II, Group III, decreased significantly at 12 months of treatment compared with Group I . From the above results, it might be suggested that combined therapy is more effective in post menopausal women with the protection on bone mineral density.