Bone disease - Biochemistry Flashcards
What is metabolic bone disease?
A group of disease that cause a change in bone density and bone strength by increasing bone resorption, decreasing bone formation or altering bone structure
What are the five main metabolic bone disorders?
Primary Hyperparathyroidism Osteomalacia/Rickets Osteporosis Renal Osteodystrophy Paget’s Disease
What are the main components of bone strength?
Mass Material
Microarchitecture
Macroarchitectue
When is peak bone mass reached?
Around 25 years
When does bone mass begin to decline?
Around 40 years NOTE: in women, the decline in bone mass accelerates after menopause
How are microfractures repaired?
Bone remodelling
Briefly describe the bone remodelling cycle.
Microcrack crosses canaliculi, severing the osteocyte processes, inducing osteocyte apoptosis.
This signals the surface lining cells, which release factors to recruit cells from blood and marrow to remodelling compartment
Osteoclasts are generated locally and resorb the matrix and the mitrocrack
Then osteoblasts deposit new lamellar bone
Osteoblasts that become trapped n the matrix, become osteocytes
What is the normal range for serum calcium concentration?
2.15-2.56 mmol/L
Describe the distribution of calcium.
46% plasma protein bound (albumin)
47% free calcium
7% complexes (with phosphate or citrate)
What is the ‘corrected’ calcium level?
This compensates for changes in protein level (if proteins are high, it compensates down)
Corrected calcium = [Ca2+] + 0.02(45-[albumin])
Describe the effect of metabolic alkalosis on calcium distribution.
It makes more calcium bind to plasma proteins thus reducing the free calcium levels
NOTE: venous stasis may elevate free calcium
What are the two main targets of PTH?
Kidneys
Bone
Describe the effects of PTH in bone and kidneys
Bone - Acute release of available calcium (not stored in hydroxyapatite crystal form) More chronically, increased osteoclast activity
Kidneys - Increased calcium reabsorption Increased phosphate excretion Increased stimulation of 1-alpha hydroxylase (thus increasing calcitriol production)
Where does the PTH-mediated increase in calcium reabsorption take place in the nephron?
DISTAL convoluted tubule
Where does the PTH-mediated increase in phosphate excretion take place in the nephron?
PROXIMAL convoluted tubule
How many amino acids make up PTH and which part of this is active?
84 Active: N1-34
What is PTH dependent on?
Magnesium
What is the half-life of PTH?
8 mins
What else can the PTH receptor be activated by other than PTH?
PTHrP (PTH related protein) This is produced by some tumours
What does the parathyroid gland use to monitor serum calcium?
Calcium-sensing receptors