A calcitonin-like action of prostaglandin E1.

The pharmacological effects of PGE1 (6 and 9 days, 2-1,250 micrograms/kg per day subcutaneously) upon the growth and the bone resorption of mammals were studied using the proximal tibia and upper incisor of immature rats along with lead acetate as a time marker, and upon the serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels. The following results were obtained. 1. PGE1 hardly affected the body weight or the weight of organs of the rats but apparently inhibited the longitudinal growth of proximal tibia in a dose related manner. 2. PGE1 clearly inhibited not only the longitudinal growth (incisor growth) but also the appositional growth (dentin formation) of incisal dentin. 3. The grade of the inhibitory effect on the growth was in the order of bone growth greater than dentin formation greater than incisor growth. 4. The occurrence of osteoporosis due to a low calcium diet was inhibited by the simultaneous administration of PGE1, the mechanism being considered to be mainly due to the inhibitory effect on the bone resorption. 5. PGE1 lowered the level of serum calcium and the lowering effect was not observed in the thyro-parathyroidectomized rat. From the facts that the above effects were exactly the same as those of calcitonin (1), the possibility that the subcutaneous injection of PGE1 may induce a calcitonin-like action, a part of which may dependent on the calcitonin secretion is suggested.