Fractures & Dislocations - Biochemistry Flashcards
Where in the body is calcium found and how is it stored
- Bone (1kg)
- Blood (10mg/l)
a) What is the storage form of calcium in bone?
b) What is also bound in bone with calcium
a) Hydroxyapatite
b) Phosphate
When is phosphate in bone released?
When bone is broken down
Why do we measure total calcium in blood?
It is cheaper
a) What does calcium bind to in blood?
b) What part is physiologically important?
a) Proteins
b) Ionised calcium
Define adjusted calcium (Aca)
The measured total calcium value adjusted for the albumin concentration
a) Why do we use adjusted calcium?
b) When is adjusted calcium particularly important
a) It is a better reflection of the ‘ionised calcium’
b) This is of particular value in chronic disease states e.g., cancer where the decrease albumin may mask hypercalcaemia
What is the equation for adjusted calcium?
Aca = Total Ca + 0.02 (40-[Albumin])
Which two hormones play a major role in controlling blood calcium concentration?
- Parathyroid hormone
- Vitamin D
a) What is the secretion of PTH directly regulated by?
b) How is PTH detected?
a) plasma calcium
b) Detected by a calcium receptor on the surface of parathyroid cells
a) What does low plasma calcium stimulate?
b) What occurs when there is high plasma calcium?
a) Stimulates PTH release from the parathyroid gland chief cells
b) Inhibits PTH release from the parathyroid gland chief cells
What are the three main actions of PTH?
- Acts on kidneys to promote Ca reabsorption via the tubules so Ca re-enters bloodstream (rapidly) - prevents loss of Ca in urine
- Stimulates osteoclast resorption of bone, releasing Ca
- Drives 1,25(OH)2 Vit D production in kidney which results in increases Ca absorption via the gut
Describe the role of calcitonin in the control of blood calcium
- Calcitonin lowers blood calcium
- When blood calcium is low calcitonin decreases, removing the inhibitory effect on osteoclasts
- This allows PTH stimulation which increases blood Ca
Describe the role of vitamin D in regulating calcium homeostasis
- Promotes calcium absorption in the intestines
- Reabsorption of calcium by the kidney
- Mobilization of calcium from bone
Describe the importance of RANKL
- Tumour necrosis family
- Decoy receptor for OPG (osteoprotegrin)
- Regulates skeletal remodelling and immune function
- Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) + RANKL = osteoclastogenesis
Describe the role of RANKL and OPG in controlling osetoclast production
PTH stimulates osteoblasts to produce RANKL. This stimulates osetoclasts.
Oestrogen stimulates the osteoblast to produce OPG. This inhibits RANKL and so decreases the activity of osteoclasts
a) What is hypercalcaemia?
b) What are the symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
a) Aca > 2.6 mmol/L
b)
- Renal calculi (kidney stones)
- Dehydration
- Renal failure
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Depresson
Moans - Gi conditions e.g., abdominal pain, conspitation, nausea, peptic ulcer disease, vomiting
Stones - kidney related e.g., kidney stones, frequent urination
Groans - psychological conditions e.g., confusion, dementia, depression, memory loss
Bones - bone paina nd bone-related conditions e.g., curving os spine, loss of height, fractures
Groans -