Doxercalciferol

A synthetic analog of vitamin D with potential antineoplastic activity; has also been shown to inhibit the growth of retinoblastomas, and may exhibit some antiproliferative activity against prostate cancer cells.Hyperparathyroidism Approved (In Vivo) :Doxercalciferol (0.083, 0.167 or 0.333 μg/kg, i.p.) elevates serum phosphorus at Week 6 in 5/6 nephrectomized (NX) rats. Doxercalciferol (0.167 and 0.333 μg/kg) also increases serum calcium and Ca x P at Weeks 2 and 6, and enhances increased pulse wave velocity (PWV) at Week 6 in 5/6 nephrectomized (NX) rats. Doxercalciferol blocks PTH from rising at 0.083 μg/kg, and lowers serum PTH to the SHAM level. Doxercalciferol (125 ng/kg, i.p. thrice per week) increases expression of VDR mRNA level and renal expression of TRPV5 in NON mice fed a HF diet. Doxercalciferol also improves proteinuria, prevents loss of podocytes, and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in HF diet-induced mice. Doxercalciferol inhibits the expression of profibrotic growth factors (TGF-β, PAI-1, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) ), and blocks increased expression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in mice fed a HF diet. Furthermore, Doxercalciferol suppresses macrophage infiltration, decreases NF-κb activity, and preventes expression of proinflammatory cytokine and the increase in renal lipid accumulation in mice fed a HF diet. Doxercalciferol (30 ng/kg, i.p. thrice per week) prevents albuminuria, markedly attenuates podocyte loss and apoptosis, and reduces glomerular fibrosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.