Biomaterial Database

The roles of calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the regulation of vitamin D receptor expression by rat parathyroid glands. 1995

A J Brown, and M Zhong, and J Finch, and C Ritter, and E Slatopolsky

Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63110.

Expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the parathyroid glands is decreased in secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic renal failure by undefined mechanisms. In the present study, we examined the effects of hyperparathyroidism and dietary calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] on the expression of VDR in rat parathyroid glands. Vitamin D-deficient rats were maintained on diets containing 0.02% Ca (-D, LCD), 0.4% Ca (-D, NCD), or 2.0% Ca (-D, HCD) for 6 weeks. Serum ionized Ca (ICa) in the rats on the three diets ranged from 2.5-5.2 mg/dl. Serum PTH ranged from 22-590 pg/ml and correlated inversely with ICa (r = -0.835; P < 0.001). Rats with the highest ICa had normal PTH values, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency per se does not lead to hyperparathyroidism. VDR messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the parathyroid glands correlated positively with ICa (r = 0.845; P < 0.001) and negatively with PTH (r = -0.716; P < 0.001). VDR mRNA levels in the rats fed the -D, HCD were 6 times higher than those receiving -D, LCD and the same as those in rats fed a normal (Purina) diet. Thus, prevention of hyperparathyroidism with high dietary calcium prevented the drop in VDR expression. Treatment of the rats on all three diets with 0, 25, or 100 ng 1,25-(OH)2D3, ip, 48 and 12 h before death dose dependently increased ICa and decreased PTH, as expected, and also increased parathyroid gland VDR mRNA. This coordinate regulation of VDR mRNA by calcium and 1,25-(OH)2D3 was also observed in the kidney, but intestinal VDR mRNA was not stimulated by dietary calcium or 1,25-(OH)2D3. Analysis of covariance for parathyroid gland VDR mRNA and ICa for the three doses of 1,25-(OH)2D3 revealed no significant independent effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on VDR mRNA, suggesting that the up-regulation of VDR expression by 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the parathyroid glands may be mediated primarily by increasing serum calcium.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D006961	Hyperparathyroidism	A condition of abnormally elevated output of PARATHYROID HORMONE (or PTH) triggering responses that increase blood CALCIUM. It is characterized by HYPERCALCEMIA and BONE RESORPTION, eventually leading to bone diseases. PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is caused by parathyroid HYPERPLASIA or PARATHYROID NEOPLASMS. SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM is increased PTH secretion in response to HYPOCALCEMIA, usually caused by chronic KIDNEY DISEASES.
D007668	Kidney	Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations.	Kidneys
D010280	Parathyroid Glands	Two pairs of small oval-shaped glands located in the front and the base of the NECK and adjacent to the two lobes of THYROID GLAND. They secrete PARATHYROID HORMONE that regulates the balance of CALCIUM; PHOSPHORUS; and MAGNESIUM in the body.	Gland, Parathyroid,Glands, Parathyroid,Parathyroid Gland
D002117	Calcitriol	The physiologically active form of vitamin D. It is formed primarily in the kidney by enzymatic hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (CALCIFEDIOL). Its production is stimulated by low blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone. Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in concert with parathyroid hormone increases bone resorption.	1 alpha,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1, 25-(OH)2D3,1,25(OH)2D3,1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,1,25(OH)2-20epi-D3,1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,20-epi-1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecaliferol,Bocatriol,Calcijex,Calcitriol KyraMed,Calcitriol-Nefro,Decostriol,MC-1288,MC1288,Osteotriol,Renatriol,Rocaltrol,Silkis,Sitriol,Soltriol,Tirocal,1 alpha,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 dihydroxy 20 epi Vitamin D3,Calcitriol Nefro,D3, 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin,KyraMed, Calcitriol,MC 1288
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004032	Diet	Regular course of eating and drinking adopted by a person or animal.	Diets
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012333	RNA, Messenger	RNA sequences that serve as templates for protein synthesis. Bacterial mRNAs are generally primary transcripts in that they do not require post-transcriptional processing. Eukaryotic mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and must be exported to the cytoplasm for translation. Most eukaryotic mRNAs have a sequence of polyadenylic acid at the 3' end, referred to as the poly(A) tail. The function of this tail is not known for certain, but it may play a role in the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus as well as in helping stabilize some mRNA molecules by retarding their degradation in the cytoplasm.	Messenger RNA,Messenger RNA, Polyadenylated,Poly(A) Tail,Poly(A)+ RNA,Poly(A)+ mRNA,RNA, Messenger, Polyadenylated,RNA, Polyadenylated,mRNA,mRNA, Non-Polyadenylated,mRNA, Polyadenylated,Non-Polyadenylated mRNA,Poly(A) RNA,Polyadenylated mRNA,Non Polyadenylated mRNA,Polyadenylated Messenger RNA,Polyadenylated RNA,RNA, Polyadenylated Messenger,mRNA, Non Polyadenylated
D014886	Weaning	Permanent deprivation of breast milk and commencement of nourishment with other food. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Weanings