Abstract: AIM : To explore the effects of calcitriol on bone mineral density and bone metabolic markers in male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.METHODS: 112 male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were randomly divided into the observe group(n=56)and the control group(n=56). They all accepted the conventional treatment, but the patients in the observed group were given the treatment of calcitriol (0.25 μ g/d). The difference of the bone mineral density, beta-isomerized C-telopeptide(β-CTx), 25- hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD), serum calcium, serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were compared between the two group after 6 months treatment.RESULTS: The serum phosphorus and PTH in the observed group after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment(P<0.05), and the 25-OHD and serum calcium in the observed group after treatment were significantly higher than that before treatment(P<0.05); the 25-OHD in the control group after treatment were significantly lower than that before treatment(P<0.05). After treatment, the serum calcium and the 25-OHD in the observation group were significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05), the serum phosphorus and PTH in the observation group were significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). After treatment, there is no significant difference of bone mineral density, T score, β-CTx and liver function both in the observation group and in the control group(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION: Supplement of vitamin D for 6 months could improve vitamin deficiency in male patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, but can't stop the destruction of bone and increase bone mineral density.

Key words: vitamin D, alcoholic cirrhosis, bone mineral density, bone metabolism