Pharm - Calcium Flashcards
What are the essential functions of calcium?
Skeleton/Teeth structure Neurological transmission Muscle contraction Second messenger signaling Vesicle fusion Blood coagulation
What channels are responsible for intracellular regulation of calcium levels?
Plasma Membrane Ca Pump
Na/Ca exchanger
SERCA
these all act to keep intracellular calcium low
What are the general ways that serum calcium is tightly regulated?
Absorption
Excretion
Mobilization from the skeleton
Describe what happens to dietary calcium
~1000mg/day ingested via diet
300mg is absorbed, and 100mg is lost endogenously
800 mg is excreted in feces
200 mg is excreted in urine
Describe the endogenous process of osteoclast activation
Osteoblasts expressing RANKL activate immature osteoclast precursor cells with RANK receptor. This interaction in the presence of MCSF triggers osteoclast differentiation
Describe the endogenous process of osteoblast activation
As bone is resorbed by osteoclasts, TGF beta, IGF1, growth factors and cytokines are released that stimulate osteoblast differentiation and activity
What is the paradoxical role of PTH in calcium balance?
Endogenous chronic PTH stimulation increases serum Ca and decreases serum PO4. Exogenous, intermittent PTH stimulation has the opposite effect, causing bone deposition of Ca
What are the main functions of PTH?
Increasing renal Ca resorption, PO4 excretion, and synthesis of calcitrol
What is osteoprotegrin (OPG)?
Endogenous inhibitor of RANKL
Prevents osteoclast maturation and bone resorption
Describe the synthesis and activation of vitamin D3
Synthesized in the skin following exposure to UV light as a pro-hormone.
Metabolized by liver (25 hydroxylase) and then kidney (1 alpha hydroxylase) to form active Calcitrol
What is the function of Vitamin D3?
Augments Ca and PO4 absorption from the small intestine
Decreases excretion of Ca and PO4 by kidneys
Inhibits PTH production
What is the function of calcitonin?
Secreted by parafollicular cells of the parathyroid in response to high serum Ca
Acts to decrease serum calcium and phosphate levels (bone and kidney effect)
What disorders are treated with calcitonin?
Paget’s disease of bone
Hypercalcemia
Osteoporosis
What are the common causes of hypercalcemia?
Primary hyperparathyroidism: parathyroid adenoma
Malignancy associated: paraneoplastic PTHrP
What are the symptoms of hypercalcemia?
Fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, altered mental status
What are the common causes of hypocalcemia?
Hypoparathyroidism (PTH deficiency)
Vitamin D deficiency
What are the common causes of hyperphosphatemia?
Chronic kidney disease
Secondary hyperparathyroidism
What are the symptoms of hypocalcemia?
Tremor, muscle spasm, tetany, seizures, prolonged QTc interval
What are the symptoms of hyperphosphatemia?
Hypocalcemia, decreased calcitriol, increased PTH
What are Rickets and Osteomalacia?
Deficiencies in vitamin D intake/synthesis presenting with bone pain and symptoms of hypocalcemia
Rickets is in children; Osteomalacia is in adults
What is the difference between Type I and Type II osteoporosis?
Type I involves loss of trabecular bone due to estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women. Type II occurs in men and women and is related to age, increase in parathyroid axis function
What is Paget’s disease of the bone?
Disordered sites of bone remodeling from increased bone resorption and formation
May present with bone pain, deformities and fractures
Mechanism of action for vitamin D, calcitriol and vitamin D analogues
Agonists of vitamin D receptor causing increased Ca and PO4 intestinal absorption, renal reabsorption, and decreased PTH
What are the clinical uses of vitamin D, calcitriol and vitamin D analogues?
Rickets, Osteomalacia
Prevent/Treat osteoporosis
Hypoparathyroidism
Chronic kidney disease (secondary hypoparathyroidism)