[Diabetic osteopathy. Favorable effect of treatment of osteomalacia with vitamin D and calcium on high blood glucose levels].

A group of 61 diabetics (incl. 35 treated by diet alone and 26 who were treated also by oral antidiabetics) with associated osteomalacia were treated with vitamin D (dosage 42,000 to 85,000 i. u. per day) and calcium (470-700 mg/day). After six weeks of this treatment the serum calcium level rose on average by 0.15 mmol/l and the blood sugar level declined on average by 1.68 mmol/l. A linear negative correlation was proved between these two parameters. The fasting blood sugar level declined in 53 subjects (86.88%) and only in five patients (8.19%) the blood sugar level increased, in three subjects (4.91%) it did not change. Possible explanations of this phenomenon include the influence of an increased calcium concentration on insulin secretion and release from pancreatic beta-cells on the one hand and enhanced glucose utilization in the periphery on the other hand.