The effects of high-dose glucocorticoid administration on serum bone gamma carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein, serum alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D metabolites in normal subjects.

The effects of 40 mg of prednisone given daily for 5 days to normal individuals on serum levels of bone Gla-protein (BGP), alkaline phosphatase, calcium phosphate, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (S-iPTH) and on renal excretions of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyproline were evaluated in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. In the prednisone group a 75% decrease (P less than 0.001) was found in serum BGP compared to a 6% decrease (P less than 0.05) in serum alkaline phosphatase. The renal hydroxyproline excretion remained unchanged. Serum calcium was unchanged while the fasting urinary calcium excretion showed a 2-fold increase (P less than 0.001). Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D increased (P less than 0.01) in spite of unchanged serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum phosphate and parathyroid function (as judged by S-iPTH and the maximal tubular reabsorption capacity for phosphate (TmP/GFR]. The data suggest a direct inhibition of osteoblast number and/or function by short-term glucocorticoid administration with unchanged bone resorption leading to a negative bone mineral balance. The increase in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is probably due to a direct stimulation by glucocorticoids of the renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase. The effects of the vitamin D metabolite, however seem to be blunted.