Metabolic Bone Disease – Biochemistry Flashcards
What is metabolic bone disease?
A group of disease that cause a change in bone density and bone strength by increasing bone resorption, decreasing bone formation or altering bone structure
What are the five main metabolic bone disorders?
Primary Hyperparathyroidism Osteomalacia/Rickets Osteporosis Renal Osteodystrophy Paget’s Disease
What are the main components of bone strength?
Mass Material Microarchitecture Macroarchitectue
When is peak bone mass reached?
Around 25 years
When does bone mass begin to decline?
Around 40 years NOTE: in women, the decline in bone mass accelerates after menopause
How are microfractures repaired?
Bone remodelling
Briefly describe the bone remodelling cycle.
A microcrack crosses the canaliculi and severs the osteocyte processes, inducing osteocyte apoptosis This signals to the surface lining cells, which release factors to recruit cells from the blood and marrow to the remodelling compartment Osteoclasts are generated locally and resorb the matrix and the mitrocrack Then osteoblasts deposit new lamellar bone Osteoblasts that become trapped in the matrix become osteocytes
What is the normal range for serum calcium concentration?
2.15-2.56 mmol/L
Describe the distribution of calcium in blood
46% plasma protein bound (albumin) 47% free calcium (ionized) 7% complexes (with phosphate or citrate)
What is the ‘corrected’ calcium level?
- This compensates for changes in protein level (if proteins are high, it compensates down) Corrected calcium = [Ca2+] + 0.02(45-[albumin])
- This is because with low albumin the total calcium drops without a drop in ionized calcium
- Therefore the calcium need to correct (by administering calcium) using this formula
Describe the effect of metabolic alkalosis on calcium distribution.
It makes more calcium bind to plasma proteins thus reducing the free calcium levels NOTE: venous stasis may elevate free calcium
What are the two main targets of PTH?
Kidneys Bone
Describe the effects of PTH in: a. Bone b. Kidneys
a. Bone Acute release of available calcium (not stored in hydroxyapatite crystal form) More chronically, increased osteoclast activity b. Kidneys Increased calcium reabsorption Increased phosphate excretion Increased stimulation of 1-alpha hydroxylase (thus increasing calcitriol production) increased CaHPO4 resorption
Where does the PTH-mediated increase in calcium reabsorption take place in the nephron?
DISTAL convoluted tubule a little in the thick ascending limb
Where does the PTH-mediated increase in phosphate excretion take place in the nephron?
PROXIMAL convoluted tubule
How many amino acids make up PTH and which part of this is active?
84 Active: N1-34
What is PTH dependent on?
Magnesium
What is the half-life of PTH?
8 mins
What else can the PTH receptor be activated by other than PTH?
PTHrP (PTH related protein) This is produced by some tumours a system used during lactation
What does the parathyroid gland use to monitor serum calcium?
Calcium-sensing receptors
Describe the relationship between PTH level and calcium in vivo.
Steep inverse sigmoid function NOTE: there is a minimum level of PTH release (it can’t get below this even in the case of hypercalcaemia)
What are the causes of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Parathyroid adenoma (80%) Parathyroid hyperplasia (20%) Parathyroid cancer Familial syndromes
What biochemical results are diagnostic of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Elevated total/ionised calcium With PTH levels frankly elevated or in the upper half of the normal range (negative feedback should drop PTH if there is hypercalcaemia)