Effect of 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 3 deoxy-1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol, 24R, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and successful renal transplantation on calcium absorption in haemodialysis patients.

Using a 2-hour 47Ca absorption test, significant depression of active calcium absorption was demonstrated in 48 vitamin D untreated haemodialysis patients. This malabsorption of calcium could be corrected by the daily oral administration of 1--2 microgram of 1alphaOHD3 and 1--1.5 microgram of 1,25(OH)2D3. 5 microgram daily for 2 weeks of 3-deoxy-1alphaOHD3 AND 16 and 64 microgram daily for 1 week of 24R,25(OH)2D3 proved ineffective. In 32 successfully transplanted patients, restoration of normal or near normal renal function (serum creatinine less than 1.9 mg/100 ml) was not always followed by an immediate improvement in active calcium absorption. Calcium absorption, especially in female patients, was adversely affected by the required immunosuppressive prednisone therapy and improvement was slow.