Synthetic parathyroid hormone-(1-34) is a safe alternative to calcitriol.

2003 NOV 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Synthetic parathyroid hormone-(1-34) is a safe alternative to calcitriol.

According to recent research from the United States, "hypoparathyroidism is one of the few remaining hormonal insufficiency states for which replacement therapy is unavailable. Previous short-term controlled trials have shown PTH to be a safe and effective treatment of hypoparathyroidism. In this randomized, parallel group, open-label trial, we compared synthetic human PTH-(1-34) (PTH) with conventional therapy, calcitriol and calcium, over a 3-year period."

"Twenty-seven patients with confirmed hypoparathyroidism, aged 18-70 year, were randomized to either twice daily sc PTH or oral calcitriol and calcium. The primary end points were calcium levels in serum and urine. Secondary end points were creatinine clearance, markers of bone turnover, and bone mineral density," reported K.K. Winer and colleagues, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Pediatrics and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch.

"Throughout the 3-year study period, serum calcium levels were similar in both treatment groups within or just below the normal range. Mean urinary calcium excretion was within the normal range from 1-3 year in PTH- treated patients, but remained above normal in the calcitriol group. Bone ...