Stevenson J C, Evans I M
Drugs. 1981 Apr;21(4):257-72. doi: 10.2165/00003495-198121040-00002.
Calcitonin is a peptide hormone secreted by the C-cells of the thyroid gland. A major physiological function of the hormone appears to be the protection of the skeleton against resorption in humans. It thus opposes the resorptive actions of parathyroid hormone and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. This action is utilised pharmacologically in order to treat diseases where increased bone resorption is a major component. The efficacy of calcitonin in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone is well established, especially as it is currently the most effective agent in the treatment of the osteolytic form of the disease. In other bone diseases where resorption of bone is a component it is likely to be worthy of a trial of therapy. There are also sound theoretical reasons why calcitonin may be of benefit in the treatment of certain osteoporoses, especially in combination with other agents. Most recent studies would seem to support his view. A disadvantage of calcitonin therapy is that the hormone has to be administered parenterally, although future developments may obviate this. It is, however, a form of retreatment which is free of any long term serious side effects, and calcitonin now has a definite place in the management of specific bone and calcium disorders.
降钙素是一种由甲状腺C细胞分泌的肽类激素。该激素的一项主要生理功能似乎是保护人体骨骼免受吸收作用影响。因此，它与甲状旁腺激素和1,25-二羟维生素D的吸收作用相反。这种作用在药理学上被用于治疗以骨吸收增加为主要因素的疾病。降钙素治疗骨Paget病的疗效已得到充分证实，特别是因为它目前是治疗该病溶骨型的最有效药物。在其他以骨吸收为因素的骨病中，它可能值得一试。降钙素在治疗某些骨质疏松症中可能有益，特别是与其他药物联合使用，这也有合理的理论依据。最近的大多数研究似乎支持这一观点。降钙素治疗的一个缺点是该激素必须通过胃肠外途径给药，不过未来的发展可能会避免这一问题。然而，它是一种没有任何长期严重副作用的再治疗形式，降钙素目前在特定骨病和钙紊乱的治疗中占有明确的地位。
