[Hepatic osteodystrophy].

Bone thinning causing both fractures and severe pain not associated with fractures has been recognized in patients with chronic liver diseases. The patients most commonly affected are those with primary or secondary biliary cirrhosis, but those with alcoholic liver disease and cirrhosis after active chronic hepatitis may also be involved. Chronic liver disease has also been recognized as an important cause of osteoporosis in both sexes, with the mechanism thought to be a combination of calcium and/or vitamin D. The 9.1% patients with chronic active hepatitis accompanied with osteodystrophy. But 50% cirrhotic patients accompanied with osteodystrophy. Bone densitometry was determined by Digital Image Processing Method (Osteodystrophy < mean-2SD: age- and sex-matched normal value). Serum levels of osteocalcin (BGP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients of hepatic cirrhosis without osteodystrophy were lower than those with osteodystrophy. These results were suggested that hepatic osteodystrophy was rapidly turnover osteodystrophy. To function physiologically, vitamin D must be hydroxylation in liver to 25-(OH)-D and subsequently by the kidney to 1 alfa, 25-(OH)2-D. Osteodystrophy associated with hepatic cirrhosis is due to a defect in the 1 alfa-hydroxylation by the kidney rather than a hepatic hydroxylation defect. 1 alfa OH-D3 is very useful for treatment for hepatic osteodystrophy.