REVERSAL OF BETAMETHASONE-INDUCED INHIBITION OF INTESTINAL CALCIUM ABSORPTION BY 1α-HYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL

Abstract
SUMMARY: The intestinal absorption of calcium has been studied in conscious, unstressed pigs, using a modification of the double isotope technique. The oral administration of betamethasone (1 mg/day) to four pigs (25–33 kg) for 4 weeks reduced the calcium absorption coefficient, calculated after the intravenous and oral administration of 47Ca2+, by a mean value of 66%. The oral administration of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (2 μg/day) in combination with betamethasone (1 mg/day) for a further 4 weeks returned the absorption coefficient to the control value.