Effect of Ethanol on Parathyroid Hormone and Calcitonin Secretion in Man

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Abstract
Ingestion of 0.8 g/kg ethanol in 1 h by normal man caused significant increases in serum PTH [parathyroid hormone] and plasma CT [calcitonin] concentrations, with peak values of 139% of baseline at 2 h for PTH and of 138% at 3 h for CT. Serum Ca did not change during the period of observation. Incubation of bovine parathyroid slices in 1.25 mM Ca Eagle media with 0.05% or 0.3% ethanol caused significant increases in PTH secretion to 122% and 166% of baseline, respectively. In vitro, ethanol can be demonstrated to directly stimulate PTH secretion. In vivo ethanol ingestion induces an increase in PTH without detectable hypocalcemia, suggesting prompt PTH secretion and action to compensate for a hypocalcemic effect of ethanol, so that actual hypocalcemia is not detectable, and/or suggesting direct parathyroid stimulation. Although the exact mechanisms are unclear, ethanol, in amounts often ingested by social drinkers, increases PTH and CT secretion and may modify Ca homeostasis.