Bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis

A major regulator of bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is stimulated through a decrease in plasma ionised calcium and increases plasma calcium by activating osteoclasts. PTH also increases renal tubular calcium re-absorption as well as intestinal calcium absorption. Synthetic PTH (1-34) has been successfully used for the treatment of osteoporosis, where it leads to substantial increases in bone density and a 60-70% reduction in vertebral fractures. 

Calcium and phosphorus balance is mediated through the complex interplay of hormones and their effects on bone, the Gi tract, kidney, and parathyroid gland. What begins as relatively minor imbalances in phosphorus and calcium homeostasis leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) in the short term and ultimately renal osteodystrophy (ROD) if these metabolic abnormalities are not corrected. 

Osteocalcin is exclusively secreted by osteoblasts and thought to play a role in body s metabolic regulation and bone-building ability (Lee et al., 2007). It is also implicated in bone mineralisation and calcium ion homeostasis. As osteocalcin... 

Rizzoli R, Bonjour JP (2006) Physiology of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. In Dynamics of Bone and Cartilage Metabolism, 2nd edn. Seibel MJ, Robins SP, Bilezikian JP (eds), San Diego, Academic Press,345-360... 

However, results obtained by Koo et al. (1991) indicate that low to moderate lead exposure (average lifetime PbB level range of 4.9-23.6 pg/dL, geometric mean of 9.8 pg/dL, n=105) in young children with adequate nutritional status, particularly with respect to calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, has no effect on vitamin D metabolism, calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, or bone mineral content. The authors attribute the difference in results from those other studies to the fact that the children in their study had lower PbB levels (only 5 children had PbB levels >60 pg/dL and all 105 children had average lifetime PbB levels <45 pg/dL at the time of assessment) and had adequate dietary intakes of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. They concluded that the effects of lead on vitamin D metabolism observed in previous studies may, therefore, only be apparent in children with chronic nutritional deficiency and chronically elevated PbB levels. Similar conclusions were reached by IPCS (1995) after review of the epidemiological data. 

Three hormones serve as the principal regulators of calcium and phosphate homeostasis parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and the steroid vitamin D (Figure 42-2). Vitamin D is a prohormone rather than a true hormone, because it must be further metabolized to gain biologic activity. PTH stimulates the production of the active metabolite of vitamin D, l,25(OH)2D. l,25(OH)2D, on the other hand, suppresses the production of PTH. l,25(OH)2D stimulates the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate. l,25(OH)2D and PTH promote both bone formation and resorption in part by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Both... 

The normal thyroid gland secretes sufficient amounts of the thyroid hormones—triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4, thyroxine)—to normalize growth and development, body temperature, and energy levels. These hormones contain 59% and 65% (respectively) of iodine as an essential part of the molecule. Calcitonin, the second type of thyroid hormone, is important in the regulation of calcium metabolism and is discussed in Chapter 42 Agents That Affect Bone Mineral Homeostasis. 

Calcium carbonate(eg, Turns, Os-Cal) is less soluble and reacts more slowly than sodium bicarbonate with HC1 to form carbon dioxide and CaCl2. Like sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate may cause belching or metabolic alkalosis. Calcium carbonate is used for a number of other indications apart from its antacid properties (see Chapter 42 Agents That Affect Bone Mineral Homeostasis). Excessive doses of either sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate with calcium-containing dairy products can lead to hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, and metabolic alkalosis (milk-alkali syndrome). 

Vitamin D hormone is derived from vitamin D (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D can also be produced in the body it is formed in the skin from dehydrocholesterol during irradiation with UV light. When there is lack of solar radiation, dietary intake becomes essential, cod liver oil being a rich source. Metabolically active vitamin D hormone results from two successive hydroxylations in the liver at position 25 (- calcifediol) and in the kidney at position 1 (- calcitriol = vitamin D hormone). 1-Hydroxylation depends on the level of calcium homeostasis and is stimulated by parathormone and a fall in plasma levels of Ca2+ and phosphate. Vitamin D hormone promotes enteral absorption and renal reabsorption of Ca2+ and phosphate. As a result of the increased Ca2+ and phosphate concentration in blood, there is an increased tendency for these ions to be deposited in bone in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals. In vitamin D deficiency, bone mineralization is inadequate (rickets, osteomalacia). Therapeutic use aims at replacement. Mostly, vitamin D is given in liver disease, calcifediol may be indi-... 

Q7 Calcium is present in both intracellular fluid (ICF) and ECF, but the concentration in the ECF is twice as high as that in the ICF. Calcium is found in both ionized and bound forms, and Ca2+ homeostasis is mainly controlled by parathyroid hormone, which increases absorption of calcium in the intestine and reabsorption in the nephron. Calcitonin also affects ECF calcium concentration by promoting renal excretion when there is an excess of calcium in the body. The normal kidney filters and reabsorbs most of the filtered calcium however, in renal disease this is reduced and blood calcium decreases. Calcium and phosphate imbalance can occur in patients with renal failure, leading to osteomalacia (defective mineralization of bone). Osteomalacia is mainly due to reduced production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, an active form of vitamin D metabolized in the kidney. Deficiency of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol reduces the absorption of calcium salts by the intestine. 

Cole DEC, Carpenter TO, Goltzman D. Calcium homeostasis and disorders of bone and mineral metabolism. In CoUu R, Ducharna JR, Guyda HJ, editors. Pediatric Endocrinology. 2nd ed. New York Raven Press, 1989 509-80. 

The physiological role of vitamin D is to maintain calcium homeostasis. Phosphate metabolism is also affected. Vitamin D accomplishes its role by enhancing the absorption of calcium and phosphate from tte small intestines, promoting their mobilization from bone, and decreasing their excretion by the kidney. Also involved are parathyroid hormone and edeitonin. 

Hypocalcemia can result from inadequate dietary intake, decreased fractional calcium absorption (as seen with increasing age), or enhanced calcium excretion. To restore calcium homeostasis after hypocalcemia, PTH concentrations rise, and vitamin D metabolism increases to enhance intestinal calcium absorption (see Fig. 88-3), renal calcium reabsorption, and bone resorption. Fracture risk is greatest with low calcium intake and low fractional calcium absorption." ... 

Vitamin D is responsible for maintaining calcium homeostasis. Low calcium concentrations lead to hyperparathyroidism and bone resorption. Vitamin D insufficiency (11 to 20 ng/mL) and deficiency (<10 ng/mL) [25(OH) vitamin D measurement, 10 ng/mL = 25 mcmol/L] is becoming more commonly recognized in all age groups, ° especially malnourished individuals, northerners, women wearing veiled dresses, African-Americans, seniors, and long-term care residents. Low vitamin D concentrations resnlt from insufficient intake, decreased sun exposure, decreased skin production, decreased liver and renal metabolism, and winter residence in northern climates. 

PHYSIOLOGY OF MINERAL HOMEOSTASIS AND BONE METABOLISM Calcium... 

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