Control of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism (S3) Flashcards
What are functions of calcium?
- bone growth and remodelling
- secretion
- muscle contraction
- blood clotting
- co-enzyme
- stabilzation of membrane potentials
- second messenger/stimulus response coupling
What are the functions of phosphate?
- Element in high energy compounds (ATP) + second msgrs (cAMP)
- DNA/RNA, phopholipid membranes, bone
- intracellular anion
- phosphorylation (activation) of enzymes
What cells are involved in calcium homeostasis (in bone)?
Osteoblasts + osteoclasts
What are the 4 stages of bone remodelling?
- resorption - by osteoclasts differentiated from stem cells
- reversal - mopping up by macrophages
- formation - new osteoid by osteoblasts
- resting/activation
Describe the role of the RANK ligand in osteoclast differentiation
Osteoblast stimulates the differentiation of osteoclasts by the prod of RANK ligand.
This activates the RANK receptor on osteoclast precursor and via activation of nuclear kappa beta stimulates gene transcription + diff of osteoclasts.
Osteoprotogerin binding to RANK inhibits differentiation.
What is the action of FGF23?
Produced by osteocytes, FGF23 acts on the kidney to decrease synthesis of active vitamin D and to increase excretion of inorganic phosphate (Pi), so:
- > decrease vit D
- > decrease serum phosphate
What is the action of uOCN (uncarboxylated osteocalcin)?
Produced by osteoBLASTS
Acts on:
- pancreatic b-cells -> increase insulin prod/secretion
- adipocytes -> inc adiponectin + insulin sensitivity
- muscle -> inc insulin sensitivity + glucose uptake
Describe the anatomy of the parathyroid glands
- 4 glands on upper + lower poles of each lobe
- supermumerary glands not uncommon
- 30-50mg weight
- chief cells + oxyphill cells
- supplied by inferior thyroid arteries
Describe the pathway for the synthesis of PTH
pre-pro PTH -> pro PTH -> active PTH (84AA)
Why does increased plasma proteins and alkalosis result in decreased free ionised calcium?
Alkalosis means a decrease in acids, so less acids are binding to plasma proteins - less acids competing with calcium, so more plasma proteins as well meaning more calcium can bind to them therefore overall resulting in a decrease of ionised calcium
Describe the mechanism and response of the calcium sensing receptor when calcium is too high
Circulating calcium levels sensed by Ca2+ receptor
- Gi activated so ↓ AC -> ↓cAMP -> ↓PKA
- Gq activated so ↑PLC -> DAG + IP3 -> ↑PKC + ↑Ca2+
These products lead to a DECREASE in PTH
Describe the mechanism and response of the calcium sensing receptor when calcium is too low
Gq inhibited so IP3 decreases
PKA increases -> PTH increases
What does parathyroid hormone do?
- stimulate osteoblasts to produce M-CSF and RANK ligand -> inc bone resorption
- osteoclast differentiation
- increase ca2+ reabsorption in distal conv tubule
- inc phosphate excretion
- inc 1-a hydroxylase in the proximal tubule
How does parathyroid hormone act in the kidney?
Activity of the cAMP/PKA pathway stimulates insertion of epithelial Ca2+ channels in the luminal membrane of the distal convoluted tubule. Entry driven by the steep electrochemical gradient between the filtrate and the cytoplasm.
Calcium is bound and transported to the basolateral surface by calbindin. PTH also stimulates the sodium calcium exchanger and the calcium ATPase.
TLDR; increases calcium reabsorption
What are the major causes of hypercalcaemia?
- 1o hyperparathyroidism
- malignancy (PTHrP)
- vitamin D related
- excess intake
- sarcoidosis, tuberculosis and other granulomatous diseases
- high bone turnover eg. hyperthroidism, immobilization
- renal failure