Study in uremic rats (5/6 NX rats), treated for two weeks with paricalcitol.
Uremia impaired aortic relaxation was improved by paricalcitol in a dose-dependent manner, independent of serum PTH levels or blood pressure. PTH suppression alone did not improve endothelial function since in a separate experiment cinacalcet suppressed PTH without affecting endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation.
Uremic (5/6 NX) rats treated with paricalcitol (0.2 mcg/kg, thrice weekly) for 12 weeks. Aortic histology was studied
Paricalcitol treatment showed both benefits and harmful effects: vasoconstriction was reduced but calcification increased. Plasma phosphate was increased, 2.1- to 2.5-fold higher than normal.
