Separate effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and calcium on renal calbindin-D28k and intestinal calbindin-D9k.

The effects of normal, low and high plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2vitamin D (1,25-(OH)2D) combined with normal, low and high concentrations of plasma calcium on renal calbindin-D28k and intestinal calbindin-D9k were examined in rats. We found that the expression of renal calbindin-D28k was significantly (P<0.05) increased by high levels of 1,25-(OH)2D, but was not affected by a 50% reduction in 1,25-(OH)2D. In contrast the intestinal calbindin-D9k responded significantly (P<0.005) to both high and low 1,25-(OH)2D levels. The effect of 1,25-(OH)2D on intestinal calbindin-D9k was modulated by plasma calcium concentrations. Increased plasma calcium levels did not affect the renal calbindin-D28k concentrations, but suppressed intestinal calbindin-D9k (P<0.05). The effect of calcium was not mediated by calciotropic hormones. This suggests the existence of a calcium-sensing mechanism in the proximal duodenum. It is concluded that intestinal calbindin-D9k is more sensitive than renal calbindin-D28k to changes in 1,25-(OH)2D and that intestinal calbindin-D9k in contrast to renal calbindin-D28k is sensitive to changes in plasma calcium concentrations.