Rat model of the hypercalcaemia induced by parathyroid hormone-related protein: characteristics of three bisphosphonates

Renal involvement in the pathogenesis of mineral and bone disorder in dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe muscular disorder, often complicated with osteoporosis, and impaired renal function has recently been featured. We aimed to clarify the involvement of renal function in the pathogenesis of mineral and bone disorder in mdx mice, a murine model of the disease. We clearly revealed renal dysfunction in adult mdx mice, in which dehydration and hypercalcemia were contributed. We also examined the effects of dietary phosphorus (P) overload on phosphate metabolism. Serum phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly increased in mdx mice by dietary P in a dose-dependent manner; however, bone alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower in mdx mice. Additionally, bone mineral density in mdx mice were even worsened by increased dietary P in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that the uncoupling of bone formation and resorption was enhanced by skeletal resistance to PTH due to renal failure in mdx mice.

Animal Models of Cancer-Associated Hypercalcemia

Cancer-associated hypercalcemia (CAH) is a frequently-occurring paraneoplastic syndrome that contributes to substantial patient morbidity and occurs in both humans and animals. Patients with CAH are often characterized by markedly elevated serum calcium concentrations that result in a range of clinical symptoms involving the nervous, gastrointestinal and urinary systems. CAH is caused by two principle mechanisms; humorally-mediated and/or through local osteolytic bone metastasis resulting in excessive calcium release from resorbed bone. Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) is the most common mechanism and is due to the production and release of tumor-associated cytokines and humoral factors, such as parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), that act at distant sites to increase serum calcium concentrations. Local osteolytic hypercalcemia (LOH) occurs when primary or metastatic bone tumors act locally by releasing factors that stimulate osteoclast activity and bone resorption. LOH is a less frequent cause of CAH and in some cases can induce hypercalcemia in concert with HHM. Rarely, ectopic production of parathyroid hormone has been described. PTHrP-mediated hypercalcemia is the most common mechanism of CAH in human and canine malignancies and is recognized in other domestic species. Spontaneous and experimentally-induced animal models have been developed to study the mechanisms of CAH. These models have been essential for the evaluation of novel approaches and adjuvant therapies to manage CAH. This review will highlight the comparative aspects of CAH in humans and animals with a discussion of the available animal models used to study the pathogenesis of this important clinical syndrome.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein stimulates plasma renin activity via its anorexic effects on sodium chloride intake

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) increases renin release from isolated perfused kidneys and may act as an autacoid regulator of renin secretion, but its effects on renin in vivo are unknown. In vivo, PTHrP causes hypercalcemia and anorexia, which may affect renin. We hypothesized that chronically elevated PTHrP would increase plasma renin activity (PRA) indirectly via its anorexic effects, reducing sodium chloride (NaCl) intake and causing NaCl restriction. We infused male Sprague-Dawley rats with the vehicle (control) or 125 μg PTHrP/day (PTHrP) via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps for 5 days. To replenish NaCl consumption, a third group of PTHrP-infused rats received 0.3% NaCl (PTHrP + NaCl) in their drinking water. PTHrP increased PRA from a median control value of 3.68 to 18.4 ng Ang I·ml(-1)·h(-1) (P < 0.05), whereas the median PTHrP + NaCl PRA value was normal (7.82 ng Ang I·ml(-1)·h(-1), P < 0.05 vs. PTHrP). Plasma Ca(2+) (median control: 10.2 mg/dl; PTHrP: 13.7 mg/dl; PTHrP + NaCl: 14.1 mg/dl; P < 0.05) and PTHrP (median control: 0.03 ng/ml; PTHrP: 0.12 ng/ml; PTHrP + NaCl: 0.15 ng/ml; P < 0.05) were elevated in PTHrP- and PTHrP + NaCl-treated rats. Body weights and caloric consumption were lower in PTHrP- and PTHrP + NaCl-treated rats. NaCl consumption was lower in PTHrP-treated rats (mean Na(+): 28.5 ± 4.1 mg/day; mean Cl(-): 47.8 mg/day) compared with controls (Na(+): 67.3 ± 2.7 mg/day; Cl(-): 112.8 ± 4.6 mg/day; P < 0.05). NaCl consumption was comparable with control in the PTHrP + NaCl group; 0.3% NaCl in the drinking water had no effect on PRA in normal rats. Thus, our data support the hypothesis that PTHrP increases PRA via its anorexic effects, reducing NaCl intake and causing NaCl restriction.