Relationship of intestinal calcium absorption to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels in young versus elderly women: Evidence for age-related intestinal resistance to 1,25(OH)2D action

S. Pattanaungkul, B. L. Riggs, A. L. Yergey, N. E. Vieira, W. M. O'Fallon, S. Khosla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

108 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intestinal calcium absorption decreases with aging, but it is unclear whether this is attributable to an age-related intestinal resistance to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] action. Thus, we assessed the in vivo dose response of active intestinal calcium absorption to a broad range of circulating 1,25(OH)2D levels in elderly [age (mean ± SD), 72.5 ± 3.0 yr] vs. young women (age, 28.7 ± 5.3 yr; n = 20 per group), who were stratified into 5 subgroups: group 1 was given a high calcium intake of 75 mmol/day, suppressing 1,25(OH)2D levels; group 2 was given a normal calcium diet of 15-30 mmol/day, representing basal 1,25(OH)2D levels; group 3 was given a low-calcium diet of 5 mmol/day to stimulate endogenous 1,25(OH)2D production; group 4 was given the low-calcium diet plus 1 μg/day 1,25(OH)2D; and group 5 was given a low-calcium diet plus 2 μg/day 1,25(OH)2D. After 7 days of diet and/or 1,25(OH)2D treatment, fasting fractional calcium absorption (FCA) was assessed by a double-tracer method using stable calcium isotopes. Serum 1,25(OH)2D and vitamin D-binding protein levels were measured concurrently, and the free 1,25(OH)2D index [molar ratio of 1,25(OH)2D to DBP] was calculated. FCA was significantly correlated with the free 1,25(OH)2D index in the young (R = 0.63, P = 0.003) but not in the elderly women (R = 0.27, P = 0.25). Moreover, the slope of the relationship between FCA and free 1,25(OH)2D index (representing intestinal sensitivity to 1,25(OH)2D) was significantly greater in the young (compared with the elderly) women [mean ± SEM, 0.15 ± 0.04 (young) vs. 0.03 ± 0.02, elderly, P = 0.03]. Thus, using an experimental design that allowed us to assess FCA over a wide range of 1,25(OH)2D levels, we demonstrate that elderly women have a resistance to 1,25(OH)2D action that may contribute to their negative calcium balance, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and bone loss.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4023-4027
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume85
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Relationship of intestinal calcium absorption to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] levels in young versus elderly women: Evidence for age-related intestinal resistance to 1,25(OH)2D action'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this