2.2. Regulation Of Calcium And Phosphate Flashcards
how is the majority of calcium stored in the body?
99% stored within the bones as calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite). the rest is within extracellular fluid and very little calcium is stored intracellularly.
what are the 2 different groups of extracellular calcium?
Diffusible - can cross the glomerular membrane. Is either ionised Ca2+ or complexed with negatively charged molecules such as oxalate
Not diffusible - bound to albumin
what is free ionised calcium used for?
cellular processes e.g. neuronal action potentials, contraction muscles, hormone secretion, blood coagulation
where does calcium reabsorption in the nephron occur?
65% in the PCT
25% in the TAL
8% in the DCT
1.5% in the CD
how is calcium absorbed in the PCT? explain how this occurs
mainly by solvent drag (80%). Solvent drag is a paracellular pathway that occurs as the lumen of the PCT becomes more positive as potassium is secreted from the cells of the PCT via ROMK and Cl-/K+ cotransporters. the positively charged lumen repels the cations Magnesium and calcium and move between the lateral surfaces of the cells to be reabsorbed.
20% of calcium is reabsorbed through the transcellular pathway as calcium is actively pumped out of the PCT
where is phosphate stored in the body?
80% of the body’s PO4^3- is in bone and 20% in interstitial fluid
describe how phosphate is reabsorbed
reabsorption of phosphate occurs at the PCT alongside 2 molecules of Na+ via the phosphate sodium co-transporter on the apical membrane of tubular cells. 80% of filtered phosphate is reabsorbed and 20% is excreted
what causes the common symptom of itching in CKD?
An increase plasma concentration of phosphate. This occurs as there is a fall in GFR and therefore less phosphate is filtered and excreted.
how are calcium and phosphate inversely proportional?
calcium and phosphate will precipitate at saturation point to form calcium phosphate. As their concentrations in blood usually is very close to the saturation point, an increase in concentration of either of the ions will result in some precipitation of some of the calcium phosphate. As this precipitates some of the other ion is removed from the solution. Therefore if the concentration of one increases, the concentration of the other will decrease.
when there is a fall in plasma calcium concentration, what hormone is secreted?
Parathyroid hormone
what is calcitonin?
a peptide release from the thyroid that is secreted in response to elevated calcium levels. Prevents resorption of bone and opposes the action of parathyroid hormone
what action does parathyroid hormone have on the kidney
decreases phosphate reabsorption in the PCT, increases its excretion
increases the reabsorption of calcium in the distal tubules and reduces calcium excretion
- both act to increase plasma calcium levels
what is the action of parathyroid hormone in the intestines?
increases the formation of calcitriol ( 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol) which then increases the amount of calcium reabsorption
what is the action of parathyroid hormone of the bone?
promotes bone resorption to increase plasma calcium levels
what are some of the symptoms of hypocalcaemia?
Decreased Ca2+ results in neuromuscular excitability leading to tetany with convulsions, hand and feet muscle cramps and cardiac arrythmias
what are the causes of hypocalcaemia?
- CKD due to hyperphosphatasemia (if phosphate rises then calcium must fall proportionally) and low levels of activated vitamin D
- Hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone secreted)
- Rickets and osteomalacia (low levels of vitamin D)
- Tissue injury (cells die and release intracellular phosphate) - Alkalosis, which reduces the amount of H+ available to bind to protein, so more Ca2+
can bind to protein. This results in decreased ionized Ca2+, although total Ca2+ remains
the same
what is the treatment of hypocalcaemia?
Treatment is with oral or intravenous calcium and patients with CKD will benefit from alfacalcidol, a vitamin D analogue
what are the symptoms and signs of hypercalcaemia?
Hypercalcemia makes cells less excitable resulting in slow reflexes, muscle weakness and constipation. Symptoms and signs of hypercalcemia are:
• Polyuria
• Polydipsia
• ‘Bones’ (bone pain and fractures
• ‘Stones’ (renal calculi)
• ‘Groans’ (abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation)
• ‘Moans’ (depression or confusion)
what is the treatment of hypercalcaemia?
Treatment is of the underlying cause, with fluids for rehydration and bisphosphonates
what are the causes of hypercalcaemia?
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Sudden acidosis, resulting in the releasee of bound calcium, which becomes ionized Ca2+
- Increased intestinal absorption due to excess
vitamin D or ingestion of calcium - Bone destruction resulting in increased Ca2+ release from bone – usually caused by secondary deposits from malignancy or myeloma
- Granulomatous disease
- Drugs e.g. thiazides
- Tertiary hyperparathyroidism in CKD
- Hypermagnesemia