Ca Phosphate Homeostasis Flashcards
What is the distribution of Ca in the body?
99% of Ca is in the bones and teeth
The rest is in the ECF, ICF and plasma
What is the biologically active form of Ca?
Free ionized Ca
50% of the ultrafilterable total Ca in the body
What percentage of Ca is bound to protein?
40%
Extracellular Ca concentrations have a dramatic effect on what?
The excitability of cells (particularly nerve fibers)
Describe Ca homeostasis during the aging process
There are decreases in the amount of Ca absorbed from dietary intake and in dietary intake of Ca
Existing bone cells are reabsorbed by the body faster than new bone is made
Aging contributes to osteopenia or osteoporosis
What is Hypocalcemia and what are the sx?
Low plasma Ca concentration
Sx: hyperreflexia, spontaneous twitching, muscle cramp, tingling and numbness
What are the indicators of Hypocalcemia?
Chvostek sign and trousseau sign
What is the Chvostek sign?
Twitching of the facial muscles elicited by tapping on the facial nerve
What is the trousseau sign?
Carpopedal (muscle) spasm upon inflation of a BP cuff
What is hypercalcemia and what are the sx?
Elevates plasma Ca concentration
Sx: decreased QT interval, constipation, lack of appetite, polyuria, polydipsia, muscle weakness, hyporeflexia, lethargy and coma
How does Hypocalcemia effect membrane excitability of cells?
Reduces the activation threshold for Na channels -> easier to provoke AP
Results in increased membrane excitability (spontaneous APs)
Generation of spontaneous AP is the physical basis for hypocalcemic tetany (spontaneous muscle contractions due to low extracellular Ca)
Produces tingling and numbness (on sensory neurons) and spontaneous muscle twitches (on motorneurons and muscle)
How does hypercalcemia influence the membrane excitability of cells?
Opposite of hypocalcemia mechanism (decreased membrane excitability)
Nervous system becomes depressed and reflex responses are slowed
How can the forms of Ca in the plasma be altered?
By changes in plasma protein concentration, changes in anion concentration or acid-base abnormalities
How do changes in plasma protein concentrations alter the forms of Ca in the plasma?
Alter total Ca concentration in the same direction (e.g. increase plasma protein concentration, increase total Ca concentration)
How do changes in anion concentration alter the forms of Ca in the plasma?
Change in the fraction of Ca complexed with anions (eg. If phosphate concentrations increase, ionized Ca concentrations decrease)
How do acid-base abnormalities alter the forms of Ca in the plasma?
Alter the ionizes concentration by changing the fraction of Ca bound to albumin
What effects does acidemia have on Ca?
Free ionized Ca concentration increases because less Ca is bound to albumin
What effect does alkalemia have on Ca concentration?
Free ionized Ca concentration decreases and is often accompanied by hypocalcemia
(More bound to albumin)
In order to maintain ca balance the kidneys must excrete the same amount of Ca that is what?
Absorbed by the GI tract