

The markers of calcium metabolism and bone turnover, including the serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone, 25(OH)D and β-CrossLaps of type I collagen containing cross-linked C-telopeptide (β-CTX), were measured before and after the intervention. In addition, all the subjects received Caltrate D (calcium plus 125 IU cholecalciferol) daily in the form of one pill. The subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the age and serum 25(OH)D concentration: 50 subjects (group A) received cholecalciferol (800 IU/d), and 50 subjects (group B) received calcitriol (0.25 μg/d) for 3 months. One hundred Chinese postmenopausal women aged 63.8☗.0 years and with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration <30 ng/mL were recruited. To compare the effects of cholecalciferol (800 IU/d) and calcitriol (0.25 μg/d) on calcium metabolism and bone turnover in Chinese postmenopausal women with vitamin D insufficiency.
