AIM: To investigate the effect of calcitriol in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).

METHODS: Totally 96 patients with PDR were chosen. All patients were divided into two groups randomly. Patients in group T(29 males and 19 females)were given calcitriol(0.25μg/day)and routine drugs, while patients in group C(31 males and 17 females)received routine drugs only. Other twenty normal adults were selected as healthy group(group N)and took no drugs. The serum Ca, P, 25-(OH)D₃, 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ and parathyroid hormone(PTH)were measured at the experiment onset and 12 weeks later.

RESULTS: Compared to group N, the serum 25-(OH)D₃, 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ level was both obviously decreased, and serum PTH level was increased both in Group C and Group T(P<0.05). After calcitriol treatment for 12 weeks, the serum 25-(OH)D3, 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ level in group T was all obviously increased(P<0.05), and serum PTH level was obviously decreased(P<0.05). Simultaneously ocular fundus changes were improved, the efficiency ratio of group T was higher than that of group C(89.6% vs 60.4%, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum Ca, P among the three groups at any time.

CONCLUSION: There is lower serum 25-(OH)D₃, 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ level in the patients with PDR, and calcitriol can improve the disorder and is effective in treating PDR.