Calcium Regulation Flashcards
what is calcium important for?
muscle contraction
neuronal activity
exocytosis
coagulation of blood
communication between cells
structural integrity of bone
and more
intracellular calcium?
bound to proteins or within mitochondria/ER
describe the calcium found in bone?
hydroxyapatite crystals = calcium, phosphate and water
blood calcium is found in three forms - what are these?
bound to proteins (albumin) - 40%
complexed to anions (carbonate, citrate etc) - 10%
free ionised Ca2+ - 50%
canalicuculi?
connect osteocytes and osteoblasts
extracellular fluid importance for calcium?
important for control of calcium levels in blood
blood calcium and bone calcium pool (in solution)
what are the calcium-regulating hormones?
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Vitamin D
Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP)
Calcitonin
two type of calcium store in bone - what are these?
readily exchangeable (0.1-1%)
slowly exchangeable (99%) - stable pool
Phosphate is controlled by what?
by the same systems that control calcium
where is phosphate absorbed from?
Intestines
where is phosphate stored?
in bone pools
where is phosphate excreted from?
from kidneys
what provides ready source of phosphate?
inorganic phosphate
acts as a buffer in the blood (maintain correct pH)
What is phosphate important for?
structure of boned and teeth
cell membranes (phospholipids)
DNA synthesis (sugar phosphate backbone)
ATP!
what is phosphate mainly regulated by?
kidney
what reabsorb 80-90% of filtered phosphate?
the renal tubules
close to renal threshold
what happens if dietary phosphate increases - renal?
exceeds renal threshold and excreted in urine
what does PTH decrease?
decreases renal reabsorption of phosphate thus increasing excretion
PTH decreases Na/P transporters
parathyroid gland?
main organ controlling central calcium and phosphate metabolism
four small nodules associated with the thyroid gland
describe the parathyroid gland histology and what cells we see?
Chief or Principal cells
- darker staining active cells secrete PTH
- lighter staining inactive cells - increase in number as animal ages
Oxyphil cells - not present in vet species
in humans
large and much lighter staining cells - unknown function
what is PTH secreted by and where is it metabolised and what is the action of PTH?
secreted by exocytosis
rapidly metabolised by liver and kidneys
acts to increase the ECF concentration of calcium
long-term calcium deficits?
when dietary uptake is low, calcium and phosphate is released from bone pools
PTH and vitamin D important for correction
if loss of calcium in ECF exceeds amounts available from bone pools, what does it lead to?
clinical signs of:
inappetence
ataxia (loss of co-ordination)
paresis (partial paralysis/weakness)
tetany (locked muscles)
describe the rapid exchange of calcium in the soluble portion of bone:
consists of crystals and soluble calcium
located in canaliculi between osteoblasts and osteocytes
These cells can mobilise calcium to the blood quickly