Fasting Urinary Ca Research Articles

Bone mass, gonadal function and biochemical assessment in young men with trisomy 21

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out whether biochemical and hormonal profile of sexual function and mineral metabolism are related to low bone mass in young men with Down syndrome. Study design: Eleven young men with trisomy 21 (mean age 26.45 years) and 12 healthy university students of similar age, participated in the study. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae was measured in posteroanterior (PA) projection. Sexual development was assessed by clinical examination. The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-OH progesterone and parathormone (PTH) were measured accordingly by radioimmunoassay. Serum calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) as well as fasting urinary Ca and hydroxyproline (OHP) were also measured. Results: BMD in DS patients was significantly lower (P<0.001) compared to their control counterparts. No significant differences were observed in mean concentrations of FSH, testosterone and DHEA-S, while LH and 17-OH progesterone levels were significantly higher in DS compared to control group (P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). Serum Ca and P and urine Ca/Creat ratio did not differ between groups. OHP/Creat ratio was significantly higher in DS patients. PTH levels were extremely low (1pmol/l) in two patients. Conclusions: The findings of this study show decreased bone mass in subjects with DS. Factors, possibly related to low bone mass, are some degree of hypogonadim, hypotonia, low muscular strength and immobility. The findings suggest further research on the biochemistry and endocrinology of bone metabolism in patients with trisomy 21.

Inhibition of bone resorption by the bisphosphonate BM 21.0955 is not associated with an alteration of the renal handling of calcium in rats infused with parathyroid hormone-related protein

Hypercalcaemia of malignancy is determined by an increase of bone resorption and/or renal tubular reabsorption of calcium (Ca). However, this latter component has been found to vary in certain patients during therapy with bone resorption inhibitors such as bisphosphonates. We investigated the possible effects of the highly potent bisphosphonate BM 21.0955 on the renal handling of Ca in thyroparathyroidectomized rats made hypercalcaemic by the stimulation of both bone resorption and renal tubular reabsorption of Ca induced by the chronic infusion of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Dose-dependent inhibition of bone resorption by BM 21.0955, as indicated by the decrease in fasting urinary Ca excretion from 64.0 ± 7.3 to 6.7 ± 3.1 nmol ml GFR, was associated with a change in plasma Ca from 2.97 ± 0.10 to 2.63 ± 0.16 mmol l . However, the relationship between urinary Ca excretion and plasma Ca was not altered, either at endogenous plasma Ca concentration or during the acute infusion of Ca. Similarly, an index of renal tubular reabsorption of Ca calculated from the slope of the linear portion of the relationship between urinary Ca and plasma Ca, which was increased by PTHrP administration, was not influenced by BM 21.0955 therapy (2.59 ± 0.15 vs. 2.55 ± 0.11 mmol l GFR). These results indicate that BM 21.0955, which is one of the most potent bisphosphonates inhibiting bone résorption, did not affect the renal tubular reabsorption of Ca enhanced by PTHrP.

Urinary pyridinium cross-links as markers of bone resorption in tumor-associated hypercalcemia.

Osteoclastic activity is increased in tumor-associated hypercalcemia, which, thus, constitutes an excellent opportunity to assess new markers of the bone resorption rate. We have measured the fasting urinary excretion of the pyridinium cross-links pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) in 36 hypercalcemic cancer patients (mean +/- SD, 3.2 +/- 0.4 mmol/L for total serum Ca and 1.66 +/- 0.24 mmol/L for Ca2+). Thirty-two of them were reevaluated after treatment with iv bisphosphonates. Urinary Pyr and D-Pyr levels were higher than those in healthy controls (130 +/- 62 vs. 40 +/- 19 nmol/mmol creatinine for Pyr and 20 +/- 15 vs. 6 +/- 3 nmol/mmol creatinine for D-Pyr; P less than 0.001 for both). This represented a mean 3.3-fold increase over the normal mean compared to 5.8- and 3.4-fold increases for fasting urinary Ca and hydroxyproline, respectively. Individual values were elevated in 83% and 75% of the cases for Pyr and D-Pyr compared to 97% and 83% for urinary Ca and hydroxyproline, respectively. The levels of Pyr and D-Pyr tended to be higher in patients with head and neck tumors than in patients with breast cancer. Urinary Pyr and D-Pyr correlated with each other (r = 0.72; P less than 0.001) and were highly correlated with hydroxyproline (r = 0.68 and 0.83, respectively; P less than 0.001 for both), but poorly correlated with urinary Ca (r = 0.21; P = NS and r = 0.42; P = 0.01, respectively), suggesting that these markers reflect different events of bone resorption. Similarly, after bisphosphonate therapy, urinary Pyr and D-Pyr levels fell by 31% and 50%, respectively, compared to 38% for hydroxyproline and 76% for urinary Ca. There was a significant correlation between posttreatment D-Pyr and serum Ca levels (r = 0.43; P less than 0.05). In summary, we found that the urinary excretion of Pyr and D-Pyr was markedly increased in hypercalcemic cancer patients and was adequately lowered by bisphosphonate therapy. The urinary excretion of the pyridinium cross-links, especially D-Pyr, should be helpful to specifically quantitate bone matrix resorption and monitor the inhibition of bone resorption in cancer patients receiving antiosteolytic drugs.

Evaluation of bone resorption and renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphate in malignant and nonmalignant hypercalcemia

Tubular reabsorption of calcium (Ca) is becoming recognized as a determinant of malignant hypercalcemia. However, its importance as compared to increased bone resorption has not yet been widely investigated. We determined Ca fluxes of bone resorption and tubular reabsorption in 141 rehydrated patients with hypercalcemia of malignant or benign origin, before any specific treatment. Bone resorption (BRI) was evaluated by fasting urinary Ca excretion and Ca tubular reabsorption using an index (TRCaI) calculated from a nomogram relating fasting urinary Ca excretion and calcemia. The relationship between alterations in TRCaI and in the tubular capacity to reabsorb inorganic phosphate (Pi), as judged by TmPi/GFR, was also examined for each cause of hypercalcemia. Among 101 cases with malignancy, 67% had overt bone metastases, but all displayed increased BRI. Calcemia was highest in breast cancer and lowest in prostate carcinoma. BRI was markedly increased in breast cancer, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, whereas it was slightly elevated in lung squamous cell, renal, and liver carcinomas. TRCaI was increased in 49% of malignant hypercalcemia, particularly in epidermoid (above the upper normal limit in 71% of the cases), renal, and liver carcinomas. It was elevated in 54% of breast cancer and normal in multiple myeloma and prostate cancer. In nonmalignant hypercalcemia, BRI was markedly increased in vitamin D intoxication, sarcoidosis, and immobilization. In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP), BRI was moderately increased. TRCaI was abnormally elevated in PHP, but normal in vitamin D intoxication, sarcoidosis, and immobilization. In malignant hypercalcemia, TmPi/GFR was low in 77% of patients and in all types of tumors, except in prostate carcinoma. The index ratio [TRCaI/(TmPi/GFR)] gave a better discrimination of PHP from other causes of nonmalignant hypercalcemia than the use of either TRCaI or TmPi/GFR taken alone. Thus, in malignant hypercalcemia, increased bone resorption is associated with an elevation in tubular Ca reabsorption in half the patients surveyed, whereas low tubular Pi reabsorption is observed in more than 75%. Increased TRCaI is restricted to some types of tumor, whereas decreased TmPi/GFR is observed in all types except prostate carcinoma. In nonmalignant hypercalcemia, a significant increase in mean TRCaI was only observed in PHP, of which individual cases can be fully discriminated from other conditions by using a new index taking into account alteration in the renal transport capacity of both Ca and Pi.

Role of bone and kidney in parathyroid hormone-related peptide-induced hypercalcemia in rats

A protein responsible for the biochemical syndrome similar to primary hyperparathyroidism associated with certain tumors has been recently characterized and its effects at the level of bone and kidney reported. However, the relative role of tubular reabsorption of calcium (Ca) and bone resorption in the pathogenesis of hypercalcemia induced by this factor is still debated. We investigated the effects of a synthetic amino-terminal fragment of parathyroid hormone-related protein [PTHrP-(1-34)] administered chronically by intraperitoneal osmotic minipumps in thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats. Clearance studies performed on day 6 of treatment after a 24 h fast revealed an increase in renal tubular reabsorption of Ca and a decrease in renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (Pi), accompanied by an increase in cAMP excretion. PTHrP-(1-34) (90 pmol/h) stimulated bone resorption as evaluated by an increment in fasting urinary Ca excretion. Although the bone resorption inhibitor aminopropylidene diphosphonate fully corrected urinary Ca excretion and reduced plasma Ca from 3.04 +/- 0.07 to 2.44 +/- 0.21 mM (p less than 0.05), this latter value remained considerably higher than in TPTX control rats (1.54 +/- 0.12 mM, p less than 0.01). In contrast, when the agent WR-2721, which is known to decrease the renal tubular reabsorption of Ca by a PTH-independent mechanism, was given, a further drop in plasma Ca and an increase in urinary Ca excretion were observed. These findings are similar to those found in animals implanted with the hypercalcemic Leydig cell tumor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Walker 256/B carcinosarcoma in thyroparathyroidectomized rats: a model to evaluate inhibitors of bone resorption.

The Walker 256/B mammary carcinosarcoma implanted in male Fischer rats was used to evaluate bone resorption inhibitors. The model was improved by thyroparathyroidectomizing the animals to avoid counter-regulation by parathyroid hormone or calcitonin, by pair-feeding them, and by using 2 hour fasting calciuria as a resorption index to minimize the influence of differences in growth or in intestinal calcium absorption. Over a 10 day period, the control animals displayed a progressive increase of plasma calcium (Ca) and fasting urinary Ca excretion, a decrease of plasma phosphate, and an increase of urinary phosphate excretion. Osteocalcin did not change. The daily administration of dichloromethylene bisphosphonate (Cl2MBP) totally prevented the increase of fasting urinary Ca excretion, whereas plasma Ca remained at a higher level than thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) control rats. Osteocalcin decreased. Two new aminobisphosphonates, 4-amino-1-hydroxybutylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (AHBuBP), and 6-amino-1-hydroxyhexylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (AHHexBP) had a similar effect. The order of potency shown by the three bisphosphonates was similar to that reported using the metaphyseal bone density evaluation method in growing rats: AHBuBP greater than AHHexBP greater than Cl2MBP, the difference each time being one order of magnitude. The analysis of the relationship between urinary and plasma values in tumor-bearing animals suggested an increased renal tubular reabsorption of Ca and a decreased reabsorption of phosphate (Pi). Therefore, in this model of malignant osteolysis, urinary Ca excretion is the best marker for bone resorption.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis as a manifestation of renal hypercalciuria with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

An apparently unique presentation of osteoporosis was encountered in eight postmenopausal women (mean age, 56.8 yr). They had renal hypercalciuria, since they had fasting hypercalciuria [0.17 +/- 0.04 (+/- SD) mg/100 ml glomerular filtrate (GF)] in the setting of normocalcemia and parathyroid stimulation (high serum immunoreactive PTH and/or urinary cAMP). Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was not significantly different (28 +/- 7 vs. 34 +/- 2 pg/ml) from that in a nonelderly control group, but fractional intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption was significantly lower (0.382 +/- 0.123 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.06; P less than 0.025). Thus, the patients did not have compensatory intestinal hyperabsorption of Ca despite PTH excess. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/day) produced a decline in fasting urinary Ca (to 0.07 +/- 0.02 mg/100 ml GF; P less than 0.01), serum PTH (from 39 +/- 19 to 21 +/- 1 microliters eq/ml; P less than 0.05), and urinary cAMP excretion (from 5.30 +/- 0.57 to 3.57 +/- 0.59 nmol/100 ml GF; P less than 0.0025). The results suggested that hyperparathyroidism was secondary. Histomorphometric analysis of bone showed reduced trabecular bone volume without mineralization defect, compatible with osteoporosis. Four of eight patients had high or high normal fractional resorption surfaces, fractional formation surfaces, and fractional osteoid volumes. That these abnormalities may reflect PTH-dependent osteoclastic resorption and bone turnover was supported by the reduction of these indices after correction of secondary hyperparathyroidism with hydrochlorothiazide therapy. The remaining four patients, however, had normal histomorphometric results. In summary, postmenopausal osteoporosis may occur sometimes with renal hypercalciuria and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The lack of compensatory intestinal hyperabsorption of Ca predisposes to negative Ca balance, and the hyperparathyroid state may be manifested by stimulated osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities.

1604 THE HORMONAL BASIS OF IDIOPATHIC HYPERCALCIURIA (IH)

We examined 6 children with IH and their families to determine the etiology of IH. Family members were divided into 2 categories: Group 1 consisted of the 6 index cases, 5 parents with calculi and 3 siblings with unexplained hematuria; Group 2 included the remaining 15 family members without calculi or hematuria. Mean age and fasting urinary Ca (UCa mg/dL GF) were the same in Groups 1 and 2, but Group 1 had a greater calciuric response to oral Ca, higher serum Ca (mg/dL) and fasting calcitriol (pg/ml), and lower fasting parathyroid activity (cAMP: nmol/dL GF). Urinary Na, Mg, and P, serum P and calcidiol, and the renal phosphate threshold were similar in both groups and did not correlate with UCa. Conclusions: IH may arise from a primary disorder of Vitamin D metabolism leading to increased calcitriol synthesis and intestinal Ca absorption. The data do not support a renal phosphate leak or high Na intake as the cause of IH.

Fasting Urinary Calcium and Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate: A Discriminant Analysis for the Identification of Renal and Absorptive Hypercalciurias*

Abstract Fasting urinary calcium and cAMP were determined in 45 control subjects, 51 patients with absorptive hypercalciuria, and 20 patients with renal hypercalciuria. The mean fasting urinary Ca was significantly higher in absorptive hypercalciuria than in the control group [0.077 ± 0.026 vs. 0.053 ± 0.027 (SD) mg/100 ml glomerular filtration (GF); P < 0.001]. Although the mean fasting urinary Ca of 0.174 ± 0.060 mg/100 ml GF and the value for cAMP in renal hypercalciuria were both significantly higher than those in other groups, the individual values for fasting urinary cAMP overlapped widely into the ranges found in the control and absorptive hypercalciuria groups. In the control group, fasting urinary calcium was inversely correlated with fasting urinary cAMP (P < 0.05). Values in absorptive hypercalciuria were within 2 SES of estimate for the control group, though they were higher in calcium and lower in cAMP. When the contribution of absorbed calcium was reduced by prior administration of sodium ce...

Metabolic Effects of Parathyroidectomy in Asymptomatic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Effects of parathyroidectomy on parathyroid function and calcium (Ca) metabolism were carefully evaluated in 6 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism without symptoms normally attributed to the disease and in 7 with bone disease or nephrolithiasis. Before parathyroidectomy, both groups of patients demonstrated evidence of the sequelae of parathyroid hormone (PTH) excess, since they presented one or more of the following features: low bone density by 125I-photon absorption, hypercalciuria (urinary Ca greater than 200 mg/day on an intake of 400 mg/day), negative Ca balance (absorbed Ca less than urinary Ca), elevated fasting urinary Ca greater than 0.2 mg/mg creatinine for a night-time sample after a 6-hour fast), and decreased renal function (creatinine clearance of less than 65 ml/min). Following parathyroidectomy, most of these deleterious effects were reversed commensurate with the return of immunoreactive serum PTH, serum Ca, and urinary cyclic AMP toward normal. These quantitative non-invasive techniques may be useful for the initial evaluation and follow-up of patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.