Calcium + Phosphate Regulation Flashcards
What is the most important vitamin D metabolite?
1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol)
What is the principle effect of calcitriol?
Increase calcium, magnesium + phosphate absorption in the small intestines
What are the other effects of calcitriol?
Increased reabsorption of calcium + decreased reabsorption of phosphate in the kidneys (via FGF23)
Stimulates osteoclast formation from precursors
Stimulates osteoblasts to make osteoclast-activating factors (OAFs e.g. RANKL)
What does vitamin D deficiency cause? State 5 signs/ symptoms.
Lack of bone mineralisation Softening of bone (can lead to bowing of legs) Bone deformities Bone pain Severe proximal myopathy
What are the different names for vitamin D deficiency in children and adults?
Children: Rickets
Adults: Osteomalacia
State 5 causes of vitamin D deficiency.
Malabsorption/ dietary insufficiency Lack of sunlight Liver disease Renal disease Receptor defects
Which step, in vitamin D metabolism, required UV light?
Conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin to cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)
Describe the 2 hydroxylation reactions in vitamin D metabolism.
Cholecalciferol hydroxylated to form 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the Liver
In the kidneys undergoes 2nd hydroxylation (by 1-alpha-hydroxylase) to form 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol)
What can stimulate 1-alpha-hydroxylase in the kidneys?
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
How can lack of sunlight cause vitamin D deficiency?
Less 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to cholecalciferol
How can liver disease cause vitamin D deficiency?
Liver is where the 1st hydroxylation takes place + where 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is stored
How can renal disease cause vitamin D deficiency?
The 2nd hydroxylation step takes place in the kidneys (via 1-alpha-hydroxylase)
What is usually measured to gage the level of calcitriol? Whatcondition must be fulfilled for this to be a good measure of calcitriol?
25-hydroxycholecalciferol
Only a good measure in the case of normal renal function
Describe the diagnostic characteristics of vitamin D deficiency.
Plasma Calcium = LOW
Plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol = LOW
Plasma PTH = HIGH (secondary hyperparathyroidism stimulated by the hypocalcaemia)
Plasma Phosphate = LOW
Radiological findings e.g. widened osteoid seams
What would you expect the plasma phosphate level to be in someone with renal failure and why?
HIGH: because the GFR is low + there is a decrease in plasma excretion via the kidneys
What would you expect the plasma calcium level to be in someone with renal failure and why?
LOW: because they are not producing as much calcitriol (due to renal failure interfering with 1-alpha hydroxylase) so there is less Ca2+ absorption in the small intestines