[Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with 1-alpha(OH)D3].

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 1-alpha(OH) vitamin D3 in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, we conducted a six month prospective, double blind study in 20 postmenopausal women. Women were randomly divided into two groups. One group (n=12) received 1-alpha(OH) vitamin D3 (0.25 mcg twice a day), the other (n=8) received placebo. At the same time both groups received one calcium tablet (500 mg daily). In the group treated with 1-alpha(OH) vitamin D3, there was a significant increase in serum calcium (p<0.01), urinary excretion of calcium (p<0.05), and serum 1.25(OH)2 vitamin D3 concentracion (p<0.01), while parathyroid hormone levels showed tendency to fall without statistical significance. In the group treated with placebo and calcium, after treatment there was only a significant increase in serum calcium (p<0.01). In the placebo group occurrance of one new vertebral fracture was recorded. There were no side effects during treatment in both groups. It was concluded that the administration of 1-alpha(OH) vitamin D3 is a safe and potentially efficient drug in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.