Research Area: cancer
Biological Activity:
Alfacalcidol is a non-selective VDR activator medication. It is used in both adults and children to treat Vitamin D deficiency that leads to serious bone defects like osteomalacia and rickets. [1]In a recently published study, 378 community-dwelling women (n=191) and men (n=187) averaging 75 years old and with normal vitamin D serum levels were randomized to receive double-blindedly 1 µg of either alfacalcidol or placebo daily for 9 months. Compared to placebo, the treatment with alfacalcidol was associated with a significant reduction in the number of fallers (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.21–0.97, P=0,04) and number of falls (odds ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.22–0.99, P=0.045) in participants with total calcium intake of more than 500 mg daily.[2]In an animal study on ovarectomized rats treated with alfacalcidol 0.1 and 0.2 µg/kg four months bone biopsies were again analyzed with a µCT-Scanner. Results show that bone loss in these ovarectomized animals could be stopped with alfacalcido. [3]References on Alfacalcidol[] Cancer Res, 2004, 64:4931-4941