L48,49 parathyroid glands, calcium homeostasis and bone physiology Flashcards
What are the main roles of calcium in the body?
Structural: Calcium is a major component of bones, teeth, and connective tissues.
Bone calcification: Essential for maintaining bone strength and structure via hydroxyapatite crystals.
Blood clotting: Acts as a cofactor (Factor IV) in the coagulation cascade.
Cell signalling: Functions as a second messenger in processes like hormone secretion, muscle contraction, and cell growth.
Muscle contraction: Required for smooth, skeletal, and cardiac muscle contractions by enabling actin-myosin interaction.
Neural transmission: Facilitates synaptic activity at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), allowing nerves to stimulate muscles.
Where is calcium stored in the body and in what forms?
Total calcium in an adult is ~1 kg.
99% is stored in bones and teeth as hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂).
The remaining 1% is:
Intracellular: Very low (0.1 μmol/L), tightly regulated for signalling.
Extracellular (plasma): 2.20–2.60 mmol/L, divided into:
50% ionised/free calcium (~1.4 mmol/L) – biologically active.
40% protein-bound (mostly albumin).
10% complexed with anions (e.g. phosphate, citrate).
Which hormones regulate plasma calcium, and how do they work?
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH): Raises plasma calcium.
- Released in response to low ionised calcium.
- Increases calcium reabsorption in kidneys.
- Stimulates bone resorption (via osteoclast activation).
- Increases activation of vitamin D → enhances calcium absorption in intestines.
- Vitamin D (Calcitriol): Sustains long-term calcium levels.
- Increases calcium and phosphate absorption in the intestines.
- Promotes bone remodelling and mineralisation.
- Calcitonin: Lowers plasma calcium.
- Released from thyroid C-cells when calcium is high.
- Inhibits osteoclast activity → reduces bone resorption.
What is PTH and what are its effects on the body?
PTH is an 84-amino acid hormone produced by the parathyroid glands (4 glands behind the thyroid).
Responds to low ionised calcium or high phosphate levels.
A. Direct actions:
- In bones: Stimulates osteoblasts to release RANK-L, which activates osteoclasts → bone resorption.
- In kidneys:
- Increases calcium reabsorption (distal tubule).
- Decreases phosphate reabsorption (proximal tubule).
B. Indirect action:
- Enhances vitamin D activation (via renal 1α-hydroxylase) → increases calcium absorption in the intestine.
How does calcium get mobilised from bone?
Fast release: Calcium moves from interstitial bone fluid via osteocyte activity.
Slow release (resorption):
- PTH stimulates osteoblasts → release RANK-L → osteoclast activation.
- Osteoclasts break down collagen and hydroxyapatite → calcium and phosphate released into blood.
How does PTH affect the kidney?
Increases calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule.
Inhibits phosphate reabsorption in the proximal tubule by blocking Na⁺/phosphate co-transporters.
Stimulates 1α-hydroxylase to activate vitamin D into calcitriol.
How is Vitamin D synthesised and activated?
Skin: UV light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol → cholecalciferol (D3).
Liver: D3 is hydroxylated → 25(OH)D3 (inactive storage form).
Kidney: Under PTH influence, 25(OH)D3 → 1,25(OH)₂D3 (Calcitriol) via 1α-hydroxylase.
What does calcitriol (active Vitamin D) do?
In intestines:
- Binds to VDR (vitamin D receptors).
- Increases transcription of calbindin, a protein that binds and transports calcium.
- Enhances absorption of calcium and phosphate.
In bone: Promotes remodelling and mineralisation.
Negative feedback on PTH production.
What is calcitonin, and is it essential?
Secreted by C-cells (parafollicular cells) in the thyroid.
Released when calcium levels are high.
Inhibits osteoclast activity, reducing bone resorption.
Not essential for life – people without thyroids (e.g. post-thyroidectomy) maintain calcium balance via PTH and vitamin D.
What are the causes and symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
Causes:
- Primary hyperparathyroidism (usually due to a parathyroid adenoma).
- Malignancy (e.g. PTHrP from tumours).
- Excess vitamin D or calcium intake.
Symptoms:
- Kidney stones.
- Constipation.
- Dehydration.
- Fatigue, depression.
- In severe cases: confusion, cardiac arrhythmias.
What causes hypocalcaemia and what are its symptoms?
Causes:
- Vitamin D deficiency or resistance.
- Hypoparathyroidism.
- Chronic kidney disease (reduced 1α-hydroxylase activity).
- Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PTH resistance).
Symptoms:
- Neuromuscular excitability (tetany).
- Trousseau’s sign: hand spasm when blood pressure cuff inflated.
- Chvostek’s sign: facial twitching when facial nerve tapped.
- Severe: Convulsions, laryngospasm → can be fatal if untreated.
What is Vitamin D deficiency, and how does it affect the bones?
Causes:
- Inadequate sunlight.
- Poor dietary intake (lack of oily fish, liver, fortified foods).
- Renal failure → can’t activate 25(OH)D3.
Effects:
- Children: Rickets – bone deformities due to defective mineralisation.
- Adults: Osteomalacia – soft bones, bone pain, muscle weakness.
- Bone is sacrificed to maintain plasma calcium levels.
Treatment:
- Vitamin D supplements.
- Dietary changes.
- Safe sunlight exposure.
How is calcium homeostasis summarised?
Short-term regulation: Handled by PTH acting on bone, kidney, and indirectly the intestine.
Long-term regulation: Managed by calcitriol, which promotes absorption and bone turnover.
Calcitonin: Has a minor, non-essential role in lowering calcium during hypercalcaemia.
Disruptions in this system can cause serious consequences like tetany, osteoporosis, kidney stones, or death in extreme cases.
What is the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and how does it regulate PTH?
CaSR is a G-protein-coupled receptor found on parathyroid chief cells.
It detects ionised calcium levels in plasma.
When calcium is high → CaSR is activated → inhibits PTH release.
When calcium is low → reduced CaSR activation → stimulates PTH secretion.
Mutations in CaSR can cause calcium regulation disorders (e.g., FHH).
How does PTH exert its effects at the molecular level?
Binds to PTH1 receptors in kidneys and bone.
Activates Gs protein → ↑ cAMP → Protein Kinase A (PKA).
Also activates Gq pathway → PLC → IP₃ + DAG → ↑ intracellular Ca²⁺.
Stimulates transcription of genes like 1α-hydroxylase (in kidney).
How does calcitriol (1,25(OH)₂D₃) exert its effects?
Binds to Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) – a nuclear receptor.
Calcitriol-VDR complex binds DNA and modifies gene transcription.
Increases synthesis of calbindin, TRPV6 (Ca²⁺ channel), and PMCA (Ca²⁺ ATPase).
Enhances intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption.
How do acid-base disturbances affect calcium levels?
Acidosis: H⁺ competes with Ca²⁺ for albumin → ↑ free calcium (more ionised).
Alkalosis: More Ca²⁺ binds to albumin → ↓ free calcium → can lead to symptoms of hypocalcaemia (tetany, spasms).
How do medications affect calcium balance?
Loop diuretics: Inhibit Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ transporter → ↓ calcium reabsorption → hypocalcaemia.
Thiazide diuretics: Enhance calcium reabsorption → may help in kidney stones.
Glucocorticoids: ↓ intestinal absorption and ↑ urinary excretion of calcium → risk of osteoporosis.
Bisphosphonates: Inhibit osteoclasts → used to treat hypercalcaemia.
What is PTH-related peptide (PTHrP)?
Structurally similar to PTH, binds the same receptors.
Secreted by some cancers (e.g. lung squamous cell carcinoma).
Causes hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
Unlike PTH, does not activate 1α-hydroxylase, so calcitriol levels remain low.
Osteomalacia vs Osteoporosis
Osteomalacia:
- Due to defective mineralisation.
- Bone matrix is laid down, but poorly mineralised.
- Commonly due to vitamin D deficiency.
- Bone is soft, can bend.
Osteoporosis:
- Normal mineralisation, but reduced bone mass.
- More porous, brittle bones.
- Seen in elderly, postmenopausal women.
A patient has a plasma calcium of 2.9 mmol/L and low PTH. What’s the likely cause?
Likely malignancy-associated hypercalcaemia (e.g. via PTHrP). The low PTH shows the parathyroids are suppressed.
A 50-year-old man with chronic kidney disease presents with low calcium and high phosphate. Explain the mechanism.
CKD reduces renal 1α-hydroxylase activity → ↓ calcitriol → ↓ calcium absorption.
Also ↓ phosphate excretion → hyperphosphataemia binds free calcium → worsens hypocalcaemia.
A child with bowed legs and poor growth has low vitamin D and calcium. Diagnosis?
Rickets – vitamin D deficiency leading to defective mineralisation at growth plates.
A patient on a thiazide diuretic has high calcium. Mechanism?
Thiazides increase calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule → risk of hypercalcaemia.