Attempts to prevent disuse osteoporosis by treatment with calcitonin, longitudinal compression and supplementary calcium and phosphate.

Abstract

Six healthy men were studied during 19 weeks of continuous bed rest and 3 treatment regimens were tested for their effectiveness in preventing bone mineral loss: 1. Synthetic salmon calcitonin (100 MRC U daily) did not prevent the negative calcium and phosphorus balances which are observed during untreated bed rest. The increase in urinary calcium and hydroxyproline excretion was unusually large in one of the two subjects. 2. Intermittent compression in the longitudinal axis was applied by springs attached to a special suit; a force equal to 80% of body wt was applied 45 times per min for 4 hr daily. The negative mineral balances were not substantially affected by this regimen. 3. Calcium and phosphate supplements were administered, increasing daily intake of calcium from 1.0 to 1.8 or 2.3 g, and that of phosphorus from 1.7 to 3.0 g. Calcium balances were significantly less negative than those of control subjects in four of five cases; phophorus balances showed similar patterns. 4. Combined administration...