Hormonal Control of Blood Calcium Levels -decrease the blood calcium level when it

rises above the normal (releases Ca from bone)

- Blood levels of calcium are regulated by the
parathyroid hormone, which acts on the bones,
kidneys, and intestines to keep levels constant.
Key Points:
• The parathyroid hormone (PTH),
secreted by the parathyroid glands
(belonging to the endocrine system) is
responsible for regulating blood calcium
levels; it is released whenever blood
calcium levels are low.
 PTH increases blood calcium levels by
stimulating osteoclasts, which break
down bone to release calcium into the
blood stream.
 PTH increases blood calcium levels by
increasing the amount of calcium
resorbed by the kidneys before it can be
excreted in the urine.
 PTH increases blood calcium levels by
triggering the formation of calcitriol,
which increases absorption of dietary
calcium through the intestines.
In this process it opposes the effects of the
parathyroid hormone, which acts to increase
the blood level of calcium.
:by regulate phosphate metabolism, it lowers
the blood phosphorus level when it rises above
normal.
hypoparathyroidism: deficiency of parathyroid
hormone
hyperparathyroidism: an abnormal increase in
parathyroid gland activity
calcitriol: the active metabolite (substance
necessary for metabolic processes) 1,25-
dihydroxycholecalciferol of vitamin D3 that is
involved in the absorption of calcium.
: functions
-promoting absorption of dietary calcium
from the gastrointestinal tract (digestive system
tract)
- increasing renal tubular reabsorption of
calcium, reducing the loss of calcium in the
urine.

 Calcitonin, a hormone produced by the - stimulate release of calcium from

thyroid, acts in opposition to PTH by
inhibiting osteoclasts, stimulating
osteoblasts, and increasing excretion of
calcium into the urine by the kidneys.
osteoblasts causing them to release RANKL
(Receptor Activator of Nuclear factor-Kappa B
Ligand found on the extracellular surface of
their plasma membrane) which activates
osteoclasts

Vocab: osteoclast: a large multinuclear (many nucleus)

cell associated with bone resorption
osteoblast: a mononucleate (single nucleus) cell
that secretes the matrix for bone mineralization :bone resorption – osteoclasts remove bone
(during initial bone formation and later bone tissue by removing the mineral matrix of the
remodeling [if necessary]) bone (courtesy of osteoblast) and dissolving the
collagen part of the bone
: at the later part of bone formation, the
osteoblast is surrounded by the growing bone -the bone is broken down to
matrix and as the material calcifies, the cell is source calcium and transfer it to the blood.
trapped and forms into an osteocyte (bone cell) -happens when there is low
parathyroid hormone: a polypeptide (chain of amount of calcium in the blood
amino acids caused by dehydration; function
dependent on one’s distinct chemical structure)
hormone that is released by the parathyroid
glands (endocrine system) and is involved in
raising the levels of calcium ions in the blood.

:aka parathormone or parathyrin

calcitonin: a hormone that is mainly secreted by

parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid gland
that regulates calcium and phosphate
metabolism

:by regulate calcium,

DA BEEF LEZGO! In the intestines:

Core Idea: Regulation of blood calcium is
important for generating muscle contractions
and quick nerve impulses.
- If calcium levels get too high, membrane
permeability to sodium (Na+) decreases and
membranes become less responsive.
- If calcium levels get too low, membrane
permeability to sodium (Na+) increases and
convulsions or muscle spasms may result.
- PTH increases dietary calcium (calcium from
food) absorption
-Effects are indirect.
- PTH triggers the formation of calcitriol, an
active form of vitamin D3, which acts on the
intestines to increase absorption of dietary
calcium (calcium from food). PTH release is
inhibited (prevented) by rising blood calcium
levels.

- Blood calcium levels are regulated by In the kidneys:

parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is produced
by the parathyroid glands.
* It is released in response to low blood
calcium levels.
*PTH increases calcium levels by
targeting the skeleton, kidneys and intestine.
In the skeleton (main homeostasis for calcium
occurs)(the whole process including PTH and
calcitonin, osteoblast deposition of ca and
osteoclast resorption of ca is called ossification)
When blood calcium levels are high!
- PTH promote osteoblast formation (cells which
mineralize bone thru extracellular matrix) to
deposit the calcium from the blood into the
bone.
-PTH acts directly on the kidneys to increase
calcium re-absorption.
* Kidneys regulate how much calcium
must be eliminated.
* Kidneys turn vitamin D3 into an
active metabolite (calcitriol), which helps
increase renal calcium resorption (metabolic
process) and phosphate excretion.
- The hormone calcitonin, which is produced by
the parafollicular (or C) cells of the thyroid, has
the opposite effect on blood calcium levels as
PTH. Calcitonin decreases blood calcium levels
by inhibiting osteoclasts, stimulating
osteoblasts, and stimulating calcium excretion
by the kidneys.

-PTH discourages osteoclast formation which

are cells that cause bone reabsorption,
decreasing the amount of calcium level to be
absorbed from the bone to transfer into the
blood.

When blood calcium levels are low!

- Calcitonin is a hormone produced by the

parafollicular (or C) cells is released from the
thyroid gland and reverses the effect of PTH on
blood calcium levels!

-Calcitonin signals osteoclast formation, which

are cells that cause bone reabsorption,
increasing the amount of calcium level to be
absorbed from the bone to transfer into the
blood.

-Calcitonin then discourages osteoblast

formation, decreasing the bone calcium levels
of the body just until the bone calcium levels
become normal once again.