Chapter 6 - Disorders of calcium Flashcards
T/F: Increased serum iCa inhibit PTH
T
How does increased iCa lead to decreased PTH secretion (behind the rapid and slow mechanisms)?
The initial effect to decrease PTH secretion is rapid (occurring within 2 to 3 minutes), mediated by the calcium receptor with a cascade of resulting intracellular events and involving mediation by arachidonate. Slower effects are caused by inhibition of synthesis of PTH mRNA and its translation to hormone.
Does calcitriol inhibit or stimulate PTH synthesis?
Calcitriol is an important inhibitor of PTH synthesis
How does calcitriol inhibit PTH synthesis? (long and short negative feedback)
- The short negative feedback loop is mediated by the binding of calcitriol to the calcitriol receptor in parathyroid cells, with inhibition of transcription of the PTH gene
- The long negative feedback loop is completed when an increased serum iCa concentration (that will inhibit PTH secretion) results from PTH stimulation of renal calcitriol production and subsequent enhanced gastrointestinal absorption of calcium
What is the half-life of PTH?
3 to 5 minutes
How is PTH destroyed by the body?
PTH is removed by fixed macrophages. The kidneys and bone also participate in destruction of intact PTH.
Cite the 4 most important biologic effects of PTH on calcium
(1) increase the blood calcium concentration
(2) increase tubular reabsorption of calcium, resulting in decreased calcium loss in the urine
(3) increase bone resorption and the numbers of osteoclasts on bone surfaces
(4) accelerate the formation of the principal active vitamin D metabolite
What is the biphasic response of bone to PTH?
- The immediate effects are the result of increasing the activity of existing bone cells. This results in an increased flow of calcium from deep in bone to bone surface through the action of an osteocyte-osteoblast “pump”.
- The later effects of PTH on bone are potentially of greater magnitude and are not dependent on the continuous presence of hormone. Osteoclasts are primarily responsible for the long-term action of PTH on increasing bone resorption and overall bone remodeling.
T/F: PTH-like factor is only related to the pathogenesis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
F, it has numerous actions in the developing fetus and adult animal
What are the pleiotropic actions of vitamin D?
Among others:
- Important roles as antiproli- ferative and prodifferentiative mediators working in part via control of DNA replication
- Roles as immunomodulators, including effects on glomerulonephritis and encephalitis.
- Role of calcitriol (Vit D2) to regulate expression of the insulin receptor
What is the generic term for all bioactive metabolites of Vitamin D2?
Calcitriol
What is the generic term for all bioactive metabolites of Vitamin D3?
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
What are the principal regulators for renal calcitriol synthesis?
Serum PTH, calcitriol, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations
T/F: a low calcitriol concentration leads to increased PTH concentrations
T,
And increased PTH stimulates the synthesis of calcitriol by the kidneys
T/F: Estrogens and testoterone decrease calcitriol synthesis
F
T/F: Phosphate loading decreases calcitriol synthesis
T
What does calcitriol do to serum calcium and phosphate concentrations?
What is the main target organ?
Calcitriol increases serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations, and its major target organ for these effects is the intestine (others: bone and kidneys)
None fasted animals might have a mild increase OR decrease in serum Ca?
Increase
Two most common causes of hyperCa in dogs?
Malignancy and Addisons disease
An increase in tCa OR iCa is related to the severity of the azotemia?
Total calcium (tCa)
Low dose of calcitriol will help or worsen hyperCa due to CKD?
Help (it gives negative feedback on PTH and thereby reduced Ca. Due to the low dose it does not increase intestinal Ca absorption).
What are the three mechanisms for neoplasia to cause hyperCa?
- Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
- Metastasis to bones
- Hematologic malignancy growing in bones
What are the most common forms of neoplasia causing humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy in dogs?
Lymphoma, AGASACA
What are the most common forms of neoplasia causing humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy in cats?
Lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma
How does PTHrP cause hypercalcemia in dogs with lymphoma?
Stimulate osteoclasts who break down bones and increase serum Ca.
T/F Perianal adenocarcinomas are associated with hypercalcemia
False. But apocrine Gland Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma (AGASACA)
T/F Primary hyperparathyroidism is more common in cats than in dogs
F, it is uncommon in dogs and even less common in cats
What is the most common cause for primary hyperparathyroidism in dogs?
Primary yperparathyroidism was caused by a solitary parathyroid gland adenoma in approximately 90% of dogs, whereas parathyroid gland carcinoma and parathyroid gland hyperplasia each accounted for 5% of cases in one large series
T/F: Parathyroid gland masses usually can be palpated in cats
T: 50% of cats with primary hyperparathyroidism have a palpable cervical mass (usually not palpable in dogs)
What is the most common clinical sign in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism?
The most common clinical signs were related to urinary tract infections (29%) or urolithiasis (31%).
79% are asymptomatic.
What are the laboratory findings in patients with primary yperparathyroidism?
Increased serum tCa concentration,increased concentration of immunoreactive PTH, increased serum iCa concentration, increased serum ALP, low serum phosphorus concentration, increased or normal calcitriol concentration, undetectable PTHrP
What is the success rate of parathyroidectomy in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism for the control of hypercalcemia?
94%, within 1 to 6 days
What are alternate ways to surgical ablation for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism?
- Ultrasound-guided chemical ablation with ethanol (success rate 72%)
- Ultrasonographically guided radiofrequency heat
ablation of parathyroid masses (success rate 90%)
By which mechanism does hypervitaminosis D lead to hypercalcemia?
Hypervitaminosis D exert hypercalcemic effects, because 25-hydroxyvitamin D competes with calcitriol for binding to the VDR in target tissues. Hypercalcemia results from increased intestinal absorption of calcium, but increased osteoclastic bone resorption and calcium reabsorption from renal distal tubules may also contribute.
What are possible causes for hypervitaminosis D?
- Excessive dietary supplementation (accurate dosing difficult to achieve)
- Ingestion of toxic plants containing glycosides of calcitriol
- Intoxication with cholecalciferol containing rodenticides
- Topical ointments containing potent vitamin D
analogues (calcipotriene) for treatment of human psoriasis - Fun fact: All commercial cat foods provide vitamin D in excess of the minimal requirements
What is the mechanism behind hypercalcemia in dogs with granulomatous disease?
Hypercalcemia can result from calcitriol synthesis by activated macrophages during granulomatous inflammation. Normal macrophages express 1a-hydroxylase activity (which converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D to calcitriol) when stimulated by interferon or lipopolysaccharide.
Give examples of granulomatous disease
Blastomycosis, gastric pythiosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, schistosomiasis, nocardia and atypical mycobacteria infection, cryptococcosis, actinomyces
What is the most common cause of hypercalcemia in cats?
Idiopathic hypercalcemia of cats (IHC), for months to more than 1 year
What is the serum iCa, PTH and PTHrP concentration in cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia
Serum iCa concentration is increased; PTH concentration is in the lower half of the reference range; and PTHrP is negative
What percentage of cats with calcium oxalate urinary stones have hypercalcemia
As many as 35% of cats with calcium oxalate urinary stones have hypercalcemia
What is the treatment for cats with idiopathic hypercalcemia?
Specific treatment for IHC is impossible because the pathogenesis remains unknown
Why would an AKI patient recovering renal function become hypercalcemic?
Sudden improvement in renal function also may result in a rapid decrease of serum phosphorus concentration, changing mass law interactions between phosphorus and calcium and resulting in transient hypercalcemia
T/F: AKI secondary to grape/raisin ingestion may be associated with hyperphosphatemia and hypercalcemia
T: in up to 93% of the dogs
T/F: Acidosis can magnify the effects of hypercalcemia
T: Acidosis can magnify the effects of hypercalcemia at all serum calcium concentrations by shifting more calcium to the ionized fraction.
T/F: soft tissue mineralization is potentiated by hyperphosphatemia
T
What are the mechanisms behind supportive care for the treatment of hypercalcemia?
Supportive treatments reduce the magnitude of hypercalcemia by:
- Increasing renal calcium excretion
- Inhibiting bone resorption
- Promoting soft tissue deposition of calcium
- Causing a shift of intravascular calcium to other body compartments
- Promoting extrarenal calcium loss
- Reducing calcium transport across the gut
What are the initial / secondary / tertiary considerations for supportive treatment of hypercalcemia?
Initial considerations:
- Fluids (0.9% sodium chloride)
- Furosemide
- Calcitonin
Secondary considerations:
- Glucorticosteroids
- Bisphosphonates
Tertiary considerations:
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Mithramycin (severe toxicity)
- Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (severe toxicity)
- Dialysis
Can you go over the 2 mnemonic ways to remember the differentials for hypercalcemia?
HARD IONS
GOSH DARN IT
HARD IONS
H—Hyperparathyroidism, Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, Houseplants
A—Addison’s disease; Aluminum or vitamin A toxicity
R—Renal disease, Raisins (Grapes)
D—Vitamin D toxicosis
I—Idiopathic (particularly in cats; very rare in dogs)
O—Osteolytic
N—Neoplasia (humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy)
S—Spurious
GOSH DARN IT
G—Granulomatous disease, Grapes
O—Osteolytic
S—Spurious
H—Hyperparathyroidism, Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, House plants
D—Vitamin D toxicity, Dehydration
A—Addison’s, Vitamin A, or Aluminum toxicity
R—Renal disease
N—Neoplasia (humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy)
I—Idiopathic
T—Temperature (hypothermia)
How does acidemia affect Ca?
Acidemia shifts the calcium concentration so that you get more ionized calcium
What is the recommended fluid choice if hyperCa?
NaCL 0.9%
Why is NaCl the fluid of choice in hypercalcemia?
- Has less Ca than other fluids
* The Na compete for reabsorption with Ca in the renal tubule = increased calciuresis.
T/F: low serum iCa increases excitatibility of neuromuscular tissue
T
What are other electrolytes and acid-base abnormalities that can magnify or diminish the signs of hypocalcemia?
- Correction of hypokalemia in cats with concurrent hypocalcemia
- Alkalosis and subsequent decreases in iCa concentration (respiratory alkalosis, infusion of alkali)
- Depletion or excess of Mg
What are the clinical signs associated with hypocalcemia?
— Common
- None Muscle tremors or fasciculations Facial rubbing (paresthesia?) Muscle cramping Stiff gait Behavioral change Restlessness or excitation Aggression
Hypersensitivity to stimuli Disorientation
— Occasional
Panting Pyrexia Lethargy Anorexia PUPD Prolapse of the third eyelid (cats) Posterior lenticular cataracts Tachycardia or electrocardiographic alterations (prolonged QT–interval)
— Uncommon
Polyuria or polydipsia Hypotension Respiratory arrest or death