Disorders of the Skeletal System Flashcards
What cells are the cells of origin for osteoclasts?
macrophages fuse together to form osteoclasts.
Which cells express RANKL and OPG? Which express RANK?
- RANKL on osteochondroprogenitor cells (can turn into osteoblasts)
- Osteoclast precursor cells
Discuss how the bone multicellular unit (BMU) is regulated by RANK, RANKL, and OPG levels
If RANKL and RANK bind, osteoclasts will increase bone break. OPG can block RANKL from binding to RANK. OPG produced by osteoblasts and osteochondroprogenitor cells.
How do hormones like estrogen, testosterone, glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), and PTH influence the production of OPG and the expression of RANKL?
- Estrogen: Increase OPG production and decreased RANKL expression
- Testosterone: Increase OPG production and decreased RANKL expression
- Glucocorticoids: decreased OPG and increased expression of RANKL
- PTH: decreased OPG and increased expression RANKL
What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?
- Osteopenia: less common and precursor for osteoporosis (BMD: 1-2.5 standard deviations below adult)
- Osteoporosis: loss of both bone mineral and bone matrix material (BMD: greater than 2.5 standard deviations below adults)
Is there a decrease in the organic bone matrix, in the mineral content of bone, or in both with osteoporosis?
Both
What is a T-score? What T-score values suggest osteoporosis and osteopenia?
T-score is the number of standard deviations that a value falls relative to the normal curve for a 30 year old.
Osteopenia: -1
Osteoporosis: -2.5
How do age, genetics, race, body size, and hormone factors play a role in the risk for the development of osteoporosis
Age: decrease osteoblast activity
Genetics:
Race: white and Asian people increase risk`
Body size: weight bearing exercises increases osteoblast activity.
Hormones: lower sex hormones, menopause decreases hormones=increase osteoclasts
Secondary osteoporosis
Endocrine disorders: Cushing’s disease, hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism
Malabsorption: calcium/vitamin D deficiency, high-protein diets (cannot absorb calcium)
Alcoholism: increase reuptake inhibits osteoblasts and calcium absorption
Multiple Myeloma:
Medications: Antacids containing aluminum, anticonvulsants
Describe the female athlete triad and how it can increase the risk for premature osteoporosis.
- Patterns of disordered eating and extreme exercise
- Nutritional deficits that lead to menstrual dysfunction
- Lowered sex hormones that lead to decreased bone density
Tx for Osteoporosis
Denosumab: RANKL inhibitor
Teriparatide: Recombinant PTH-> activates osteoblasts
Calcitonin: increase osteoblast activity
Raloxifene: selective estrogen receptor modifiers
Alendronate: bisphosphonate which kills osteoclasts when they eat it
How can Thiazide diuretics sometimes be used to increase blood calcium
Blocks Na+/Cl- symporters on DCT. This lowers Na+ intracellularly, therefore increasing the want therefore increasing activity for Na+/Ca++ pump, therefore pumping out calcium into the blood while pumping sodium into the cell.
Why might a Thiazide be used to reduce the risk of calcium-containing kidney stone formation?
Because they help with the reabsorption of calcium.
Where are the most common location for fractures associated with osteoporosis? What is a Dowager hump?
- humerus, distal radius and the neck of the femur
- abnormal curvature of the spine caused by compression of the anterior vertebral bodies causing it to collapse and protrude posteriorly
What two methods are used to diagnose osteoporosis?
- BMD assessment using energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
- checking of the patient’s height to see if it has changed
Difference between Osteomalacia and Rickets
- Osteomalacia: inadequate mineralization of the bone. More collagen than hydroxyapatite / calcium phosphate
- Rickets: bone softening in the growing bones of children
Describe what vitamin D is and how it is synthesized
7-dehydrocholesterol is produced and altered by UVB radiation from the sun. C-C bond is broken creating Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This travels to the liver where it becomes 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This travels to the kidney where it becomes 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D. This is the active form of vitamin D
What does Vitamin D do in the body?
- absorbs calcium
- stimulates absorption of phosphate and magnesium
- facilitates production of bone matrix and mineralization
What are some causes of Vitamin D deficiency?
- Intestinal malabsorption can decrease the dietary form of Vitamin D3.
- Lack of sunlight to the epidermis can decrease the synthesis of Vitamin D3.
- Medications like anticonvulsants are known to inhibit the liver from hydroxylating cholecalciferol.
- Liver or Renal failure can diminish the activation steps on cholecalciferol.
Paget Disease and what its caused by
- dysregulation of bone formation
- genetic susceptibility can trigger disease if environmental conditions arise (viral infections)
- mutations in genes that encode for proteins involved in the RANK signaling pathway