EFFECTS OF SALMON-CALCITONIN SUPPOSITORIES IN THE PREVENTION OF BONE LOSS IN OOPHORECTOMIZED WOMEN

To evaluate the efficacy of salmon calcitonin (sCT) suppositories in i nhibiting postmenopausal bone demineralization and the tolerability of this formulation, we treated ten women oophorectomized in reproductiv e age with intrarectal sCT at the dose of 200 IU/day for 12 months pos toperatively. Modifications of calcium and phosphate metabolism were q uantified by measurements of vertebral and peripheral bone mineral con tent, serum alkaline phosphatase, and hydroxyprolinuria at baseline an d at 6 and 12 months of treatment. Tolerability was assessed by record ing the appearance of local or systemic side-effects. sCT suppositorie s were demonstrated to inhibit post-oophorectomy calcium loss, and tol erability was good.