Can paricalcitol increase the effectiveness of n-acetylcysteine in contrast induced acute kidney prophylaxis in rats? A biochemical and histopathological study / ¿Puede el paricalcitol aumentar la eficacia de la n-acetilcisteína en la profilaxis renal aguda inducida por contraste en ratas? Un estudio bioquímico e histopatológico

SUMMARY: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is used for contrast induced acut kidney injury (CI-AKI) prophylaxis because of its antioxidant effects. Paricalcitol, which has reno-protective effects, is likely to provide a more effective prophylaxis when added to NAC treatment. The study was designed based on this hypothesis. The study was organised to include 4 groups each consisting of 7 rats. Group 1 was the control group, and Group 2 included rats with CI-AKI. Rats in Group 3 were administered NAC at a dose of 100 mg/kg via oral gavage once a day for 5 days. Rats in group 4 were administered paricalcitol at a dose of 0.4 mcg/kg once a day for 5 days in addition to NAC. CI-AKI was induced after the treatments in both groups. The study was terminated on the sixth day. Samples were collected from the rats' sera and kidney tissues to study oxidant and antioxidant parameters; kidney function tests were also studied. There were significant differences between the contrast nephropathy group (Group 2) and NAC and NAC+paricalcitol groups with respect to serum urea and creatinine levels. When the same groups were compared regarding oxidant (TOS-MDA) and antioxidant (TAC-Paraoxonase) parameters, we observed that the oxidant parameters increased in serum and kidney tissue samples with NAC use, and that effect was strengthened by the addition of paricalcitol to NAC treatment. However, despite increased antioxidant effectiveness, we observed no decrease in urea and creatinine levels when paricalcitol was added for CI-AKI in rats. There was no significant difference between Group 3 and Group 4. Paricalcitol provides a more potent antioxidant effect in both serum and kidney tissue samples when added to NAC treatment in rats with CI-AKI. Despite increased antioxidant parameters, however, paricalcitol does not provide a significant decrease in urea and creatinine levels.

RESUMEN: Debido a sus efectos atioxidantes la N- acetilcisteína (NAC) se usa para la profilaxis de la lesión renal aguda inducida por contraste (CI-AKI). Es probable que el paricalcitol, que tiene efectos renoprotectores, proporcione una profilaxis más eficaz cuando se agrega al tratamiento con NAC. En base a esta hipótesis el estudio fue diseñado para incluir cuatro grupos cada uno compuesto por siete ratas. El grupo 1 fue el grupo control y el grupo 2 incluyó ratas con CI-AKI. A las ratas del Grupo 3 se les administró NAC con una dosis de 100 mg/kg por sonda oral una vez al día, durante 5 días. A las ratas del grupo 4 se les administró paricalcitol a una dosis de 0,4 mcg/kg una vez al día durante 5 días, además de NAC. Se indujo CI-AKI después de los tratamientos en ambos grupos. El estudio finalizó el sexto día. Se recolectaron muestras de suero y tejidos renales de ratas para estudiar los parámetros oxidantes y antioxidantes; También se estudiaron las pruebas de función renal. Hubo diferencias significativas entre el grupo de nefropatía por contraste (Grupo 2) y los grupos NAC y NAC+paricalcitol con respecto a los niveles séricos de urea y creatinina. Cuando se compararon los mismos grupos con respecto a los parámetros oxidantes (TOS-MDA) y antioxidantes (TAC-Paraoxonase), observamos que los parámetros oxidantes aumentaron en muestras de suero y tejido renal con el uso de NAC, y ese efecto se vio reforzado por la adición de paricalcitol a tratamiento NAC. Sin embargo, a pesar de una mayor eficacia antioxidante, no observamos una disminución en los niveles de urea y creatinina cuando se agregó paricalcitol para CI-AKI en ratas. No hubo diferencias significativas entre el Grupo 3 y el Grupo 4. El paricalcitol proporciona un efecto antioxidante más potente tanto en muestras de suero como de tejido renal cuando se agrega al tratamiento con NAC en ratas con CI-AKI. Sin embargo, a pesar del aumento de los parámetros antioxidantes, el paricalcitol no proporciona una disminución sig- nificativa en los niveles de urea y creatinina.

Effect of one time high dose "stoss therapy" of vitamin D on glucose homeostasis in high risk obese adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To study the effect of using a one time high dose "stoss therapy" of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol: VD2) on indices of insulin sensitivity {whole body sensitivity index: WBISI} and secretion {insulinogenic index: IGI} measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in obese adolescents with VDD (25 OHD; serum metabolite of vit D: < 30 ng/dL). Subjects and methods In a randomized placebo controlled cross over design 20 obese adolescents with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) had baseline OGTT. Arm A received one time high dose 300,000 IU of ergocalciferol and Arm B received placebo. After 6 weeks the adolescents were reassigned to Arm A if they were in Arm B and vice versa. 25OHD, calcium, parathyroid hormone, comprehensive metabolic panel, urine calcium creatinine ratio were measured at each study visit. OGTTs to assess indices of sensitivity and secretion were done at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks respectively. Results Adolescents were obese and insulin resistant (mean ± SD: mean age = 15.1 ± 1.9 years; BMI: 32.7 ± 9.8; homeostatic model of insulin resistance: HOMA-IR: 4.2 ± 2.8). Stoss therapy with VD2 increased 25OHD from baseline (16.7 ± 2.9 to 19.5 ± 4.5; p = 0.0029) when compared to the placebo. WBISI (2.8 ± 1.9) showed a trend towards improvement in Rx group (p = 0.0577) after adjustment for covariates. IGI (3 ± 2.2) showed an improvement in both Rx and placebo groups. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that using a high dose of VD2 (300,000 IU) did not have any beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity (whole body sensitivity index {WBISI}) and secretory indices (insulinogenic index {IGI}) in obese adolescents. High dose "stoss therapy" of VD2 did not appear to have any beneficial effect on glucose homeostasis on obese adolescents.

Effectiveness and safety of a 6-month treatment with paricalcitol in patients on hemodialysis with secondary hyperparathyroidism / Eficácia e segurança do tratamento de 6 meses com paricalcitol em pacientes em hemodiálise com hiperparatiroidismo secundário

Abstract Introduction: The mineral bone disorder, particularly secondary hyperparathyroidism, in chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a systemic impact affecting not only bone metabolism. Therefore its correction is important to prevent cardiovascular, inflammatory and immune diseases. Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of intravenous paricalcitol administered over a 6 month period for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients undergoing conventional hemodialysis, with close follow-up of treatment response. Methods: A phase 4 clinical trial was performed comparing clinical and laboratory data before and after 6 months of treatment. SHPT patients undergoing hemodialysis who were naïve to vitamin D metabolites or had failed to current therapy were included. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were analyzed. Efficacy analyses were based on intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels and were performed using data from patients who completed 6 months of treatment. Results: Nineteen of the 26 patients enrolled completed 6 months of treatment. All patients exhibited reduced baseline iPTH levels (mean reduction, 371.8 pg/mL; 95% CI, 273.3-470.2 pg/mL]; 17 patients (89.5%) had reductions exceeding 30%. Twelve patients (63%) achieved therapeutic success (defined as iPTH serum levels 150-300 pg/mL), with a median time of 2 months from the beginning of treatment. All reported episodes of hypercalcemia (n = 2) and hyperphosphatemia (n = 34) were asymptomatic. No major therapy-related serious AEs were reported. Conclusion: Paricalcitol was safely administered and was associated with significant decreases in iPTH levels over the study period.

Resumo Introdução: A doença metabólica óssea, em particular o hiperparatireoidismo secundário, na doença renal crônica (DRC) tem um impacto sistêmico que afeta nem só o metabolismo ósseo. Por tanto, sua correção é importante para prevenir as doenças do sistema imunitário, inflamatório e cardiovascular. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e a segurança do paricalcitol intravenoso administrado durante um período de 6 meses no tratamento do hiperparatireoidismo secundário (SHPT) em pacientes submetidos a hemodiálise convencional, com acompanhamento de perto da resposta do tratamento. Métodos: Realizou-se um ensaio clínico de fase 4 que comparava os dados clínicos com os dados do laboratório antes e depois dos 6 meses de tratamento. Incluíram-se os pacientes SHPT em hemodiálise sem experiência com os metabólitos da vitamina D ou que fracassaram com a terapia em uso. Analisaram-se as características clínicas e de laboratório. As análises de eficácia se basearam nos níveis do hormônio da paratireóide intacto (iPTH) e foram realizadas usando dados dos pacientes que completaram os 6 meses de tratamento. Resultados: Dezenove dos 26 pacientes registrados completaram os 6 meses de tratamento. Todos os pacientes mostraram níveis de referência iPTH reduzidos (redução média, 371,8 pg/mL; 95% CI, 273,3-470.2 pg/mL]; 17 pacientes (89,5%) tiveram reduções superiores a 30%. Doze pacientes (63%) conseguiram o sucesso terapêutico (definido como níveis de soros iPTH de 150-300 pg/mL), com um tempo médio de 2 meses a partir do início do tratamento. Todos os episódios de hipercalcemia (n = 2) e de hiperfosfatemia (n = 34) reportados foram assintomáticos. Não se informaram AEs graves importantes relacionados à terapia. Conclusão: O paricalcitol foi administrado de forma segura e se associou às reduções significativas nos níveis de iPTH durante o período do estudo.

¿Es equivalente la suplementación diaria con vitamina D2 o vitamina D3 en adultos mayores? / Is daily supplementation with vitamin D2 equivalent to daily supplementation with vitamin D3 in the elderly?

Tanto la equivalencia entre colecalciferol (D3) y ergocalciferol (D2), como las dosis y forma de administración de ambos, son actualmente un tema controvertido. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la efectividad de 800 UI/día de D2 (gotas) y D3 (comprimidos) para alcanzar niveles adecuados de 25 hidroxivitamina D (25OHD) (= 30 ng/ml). Veintiún mujeres posmenopáusicas que vivían en la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, edad promedio ( ± DS) 77.1 ± 6.8 años fueron incluidas y asignadas en forma aleatoria a uno de los siguientes grupos: GD2 (n = 13): 800 UI (gotas) y GD3 (n = 8): 800 UI (comprimidos). Se midió 25OHD sérica (RIA-DIASORIN) basal y a los 7, 28 y 45 días del estudio. Basalmente, 19 de las 21 mujeres presentaron niveles de deficiencia de 25(OH)D (< 20 ng/ml): GD2: 14.0 ± 4.8 y GD3: 13.2 ± 4.9 (NS). Se observó en el día 7 un incremento del ~25% solo en GD3 y un aumento significativo al final del estudio en ambos grupos, sin alcanzar los valores adecuados de 25OHD (GD2: 17.4 ± 5.5 vs. GD3:22.9 ± 4.6 ng/ml p < 0.001). La administración por 45 días de 800 UI de vitamina D3 fue más efectiva que D2 para incrementar los niveles de 25OHD, aunque ambas fueron insuficientes para alcanzar niveles adecuados de 25OHD (= 30 ng/ml).

The equivalence of cholecalciferol (D3) and ergocalciferol (D2) as well as their corresponding doses and administration route remain controversial to date. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of daily supplementation with 800 IU of D2 (drops) and D3 (pills) on 25-hydroxivitamin D (25OHD) levels (= 30 ng/ml). Twenty-one ambulatory postmenopausal women from Buenos Aires City with a mean ( ± SD) age of 77.1 ± 6.8 years were included. The participants were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: GD2 (n = 13): 800 IU (drops) and GD3 (n = 8): 800 IU (pills). Serum 25OHD levels were measured (RIA-DIASORIN) at baseline, and at 7, 28 and 45 days. Nineteen out of twenty one women showed deficient levels of 25OHD at baseline (< 20 ng/ml): GD2: 14.0 ± 4.8 ng/ml and GD3: 13.2 ± 4.9 ng/ml (NS). Whereas only GD3 exhibited an increase (~25%) at 7 days, both groups showed a significant increase at the end of the study. However, neither attained adequate 25OHD levels (GD2: 17.4 ± 5.5 vs. GD3:22.9 ± 4.6 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Administration of 800 IU of vitamin D3 during 45 days was more effective than D2 in increasing 25OHD, but both failed to achieve adequate levels of 25OHD (= 30 ng/ml). but neither succeeded in achieving adequate levels of 25OHD (= 30 ng/ml).

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de la deficiencia de vitamina D / Diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency

Nutritional status of vitamin D has regained importance in the last few years because its deficiency is highly prevalent, and because, apart from its well known effects on bone metabolism, this vitamin participates in cellular proliferation and differentiation and muscle strength and balance, among other effects. The active molecule is 1,25(OH)2D, but serum concentration of total 25 OH vitamin D (i.e. including ergocalciferol or vitamin D2 plus chole calciferol or vitamin D3) is the preferred indicator of vitamin D status. Recent evidences suggest the need to increase dietary recommendations in adults up to 1,000 IU/day. However, in deficiency states it is often necessary to supplement with pharmaceutical preparations, which contain higher doses of this vitamin since the amounts previously employed were not able to return levels to normal. In the present article we present the entire list of vitamin D preparations commercially available in Chile. The difficulty of choosing the most adequate product for an individual patient becomes clear, because there are only few formulations containing more than 800IU and, in addition they are usually combined with calcium, biphosphonates or multiple minerals and other vitamins.

El estado nutricional de vitamina D ha cobrado importancia en los últimos a±os debido a que su deficiencia es altamente prevalente, y además por sus conocidos efectos en el metabolismo óseo, participa en la diferenciación y proliferación celular, función muscular y equilibrio, entre otros. La molécula activa es la 1,25(OH)2D, pero se recomienda medir niveles séricos de 25 OH vitamina D total (es decir la suma de ergocalciferol o vitamina D2 y colecalciferol o vitamina D3), como reflejo del status de vitamina D. La evidencia actual sugiere la necesidad de elevar las recomendaciones para la ingesta dietaria en adultos, hasta cifras cercanas a 1.000 Ul/día. Sin embargo en casos de deficiencia puede ser necesario utilizar suplementos farmacéuticos conteniendo dosis superiores de esta vitamina, por cuanto aquellas utilizadas en el pasado no lograban corregir el déficit. En este artículo se presenta un listado de los preparados comerciales que contienen vitamina D disponibles en Chile. Al analizarlo se pone de mamfiesto la dificultad que representa elegir el preparado más adecuado para corregir la deficiencia en un paciente individual, debido a que son pocas las preparaciones que contienen más de 800 UI, además de que habitualmente se encuentra en asociación con calcio, bifosfonatos o múltiples otros minerales y vitaminas.