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.
46% plasma protein bound (albumin)
47% free calcium
7% complexes (with phosphate or citrate)
What is the ‘corrected’ calcium level?
- considers the calcium bound to albumin
Corrected calcium = [Ca2+] + 0.02(45-[albumin])
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)
Chronic, increased osteoclast activity- catabolic
b. Kidneys Increased calcium reabsorption Increased phosphate excretion Bone resorption via RANK Increased stimulation of 1-alpha hydroxylase (thus increasing calcitriol production)
Where does the PTH-mediated increase in calcium reabsorption take place in the nephron?
DISTAL convoluted tubule via TRPV5/6
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
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: even at high Ca conc, 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)
What are the clinical features of primary hyperparathyroidism?
Stones, Bones, Abdominal Groans and Psychic Moans
- Stones – renal colic, nephrocalcinosis, CRF
- Bones – osteitis fibrosa cystica
- Abdominal moans – dyspepsia (indigestion), pancreatitis, constipation
- Psychic groans – depression, impaired concentration
NOTE: patients may also suffer fractures secondary to the bone resorption
IMPORTANT NOTE: hypercalcaemia also causes diuresis (polyuria and polydipsia)