Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on biochemical indices of bone turnover in postmenopausal women.

Bone metabolism was estimated by serum alkaline phosphatase (index of bone formation) and fasting urinary excretions of calcium and hydroxyproline (indices of bone resorption) in a group of early postmenopausal women and a group of 70-year-old women, during 12 months' treatment with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3), and compared to oestrogen/gestagen treatment or placebo treatment. The groups treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 did not show any change in bone metabolism, neither in bone resorption nor in bone formation, during the treatment period when compared to the placebo group, whereas treatment with female hormones decreased both bone resorption and bone formation.