Impact of Calcitonin on Urinary Excretion of Prostaglandins during Menopause

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of calcitonin as an antiresorptive agent in postmenopausal osteoporosis in prostaglandin metabolism. Urinary prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) concentrations were determined by PGE₂ (¹²⁵I) RIA kit in a total number of 37 patients in postmenopause; 27 in study group with established osteoporosis (WEO) and 10 in another group without osteoporosis (WO). An additional group of 12 patients in the premenopausal period were selected as controls (PreM). Data were given as mean ± SD and statistical analysis was performed by Student’s t test for paired and unpaired values. A significant decrease in urinary PGE₂ concentrations was observed in WEO (7.91 ± 3.08 vs. 3.79 ± 3.01 ng/l) (p < 0.001), WO (9.06 ± 6.76 vs. 6.06 ± 3.90 ng/l) (p < 0.05) and PreM (7.14 ± 1.68 vs. 5.16 ± 1.91 ng/l) (p < 0.01). As a conclusion, calcitonin seems to exert a negative effect on prostaglandin metabolism resulting in reduced new prostaglandin formation.

Analgesic activity of high-dose intravenous calcitonin in cancer patients with bone metastases

“…Several hypotheses have been formulated to account for it. Firstly, it inhibits cyclooxygenase, thus lessening the production of prostaglandins and thromboxane A2 in guinea pig lung (18) and humans (19); however, other studies have found opposite results (20). Secondly, it has been shown to increase ACTH, ß-endorphin and cortisol serum levels (21), indicating a possible role in modulation of the anterior pituitary function, but this is challenged in other studies (22).…”