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Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Synthesis and Functions of Calcitonin

Calcitonin, a vital polypeptide hormone, regulates calcium levels within body fluids. It is released by the parafollicular cells, also known as C cells, situated in the follicular epithelium of the thyroid gland. Calcitonin responds to fluctuations in blood calcium levels and the influence of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin and cholecystokinin.
The exact mechanisms by which calcitonin operates in calcium homeostasis remain elusive, but its significance is evident in several vital...

Hormones and Bone Tissue

Hormones and Bone Tissue

The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.

The Parathyroid Glands

The Parathyroid Glands

The two pairs of parathyroid glands embedded within the posterior surface of the thyroid gland are restricted by a dense capsule around them. These glands comprise two distinct cell populations—parathyroid oxyphil and parathyroid principal cells- pivotal in calcium homeostasis.
Oxyphil cells, whose functions remain elusive, emerge during late puberty, adding a layer of complexity to the parathyroid gland's intricacies. In contrast, principal parathyroid cells undertake a vital role by producing...

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

Functions of Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

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Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
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Calcitonin: physiology or fantasy?

Rachel A Davey¹, David M Findlay

¹Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia. r.davey@unimelb.edu.au

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : the Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research

|March 23, 2013

Summary

Calcitonin hormone regulates serum calcium by inhibiting bone calcium release, especially during high bone turnover. Its role in protecting the skeleton during high calcium demand is also significant.

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Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Bone Biology
Calcium Homeostasis

Background:

Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, regulates calcium levels.
Its physiological significance has been debated.
Recent research highlights its role in bone and calcium homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the physiological role of calcitonin and its receptor (CTR) in calcium and bone homeostasis.
To explore calcitonin's mechanisms in protecting the skeleton.

Main Methods:

Utilized genetically modified mouse models with deleted CTR in osteoclasts.
Observed susceptibility to hypercalcemia and response to exogenous calcitonin.
Analyzed effects on bone mineral density and bone formation.

Main Results:

CTR deletion in osteoclasts increased susceptibility to hypercalcemia.
Exogenous calcitonin effectively lowered serum calcium in younger mice.
Calcitonin appears to inhibit bone formation, as CTR deletion led to increased bone formation.

Conclusions:

Calcitonin regulates serum calcium by inhibiting calcium efflux from bone, particularly when bone turnover is high.
Calcitonin may protect the skeleton during high calcium demand (e.g., lactation) by regulating bone turnover.
Further research is needed to fully understand calcitonin's holistic role in bone and calcium homeostasis.