[Effect of cortisone on calcium metabolism. Attempt at correction by 5,6 trans 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and vitamin D2].

14 patients receiving small doses of predisolone and 7 high doses were divided at random into three groups. Each group received for four weeks, 100 microgram of vitamin D2 or 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 or 5,6 trans-25 hydroxyvitamin D3. The 25 hydroxy and 5,6 trans-25 hydroxyvitamine D3 were able to increase intestinal calcium absorption. 25 Hydroxyvitamin D3 had an osteolytic action, increasing urine calcium and hydroxyproline and, once, in a patient slight hypercalcemia was observed. By constrast, 5,6 trans-25 hydroxyvitamin D3 decreased PTH and caused a significant decrease in urine hydroxyproline.