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Systemic and cellular calcium metabolism and hypertension
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
Seminars in Nephrology
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Essential hypertension is linked to abnormal calcium levels, including low serum ionized calcium and increased parathyroid hormone (PTH). Supplementing dietary calcium may help regulate these calcium imbalances and blood pressure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Endocrinology
- Mineral Metabolism
Background:
- Essential hypertension is associated with altered calcium homeostasis.
- Key indicators include low serum ionized calcium, elevated urinary calcium excretion, and increased parathyroid hormone (PTH).
- Hypertension also affects calcitriol metabolism and bone mineralization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between calcium metabolism and hypertension.
- To explore the role of calcium-regulating hormones in blood pressure regulation.
- To assess the impact of calcium supplementation on calcium metabolism markers in hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum ionized calcium, urinary calcium excretion, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.
- Assessment of calcitriol metabolism and bone mineralization in hypertensive subjects and models.
- Evaluation of intracellular free calcium concentrations in cells from hypertensive individuals.
- Monitoring changes in calcium-regulating hormones and intracellular calcium following dietary calcium supplementation.
Main Results:
- Hypertensive individuals exhibit low serum ionized calcium, increased urinary calcium, and elevated PTH.
- Calcitriol metabolism and bone mineralization are significantly altered in hypertension.
- Cytosolic free calcium is elevated in cells from hypertensive subjects.
- Dietary calcium supplementation effectively reduces PTH, calcitriol, and intracellular free calcium levels.
Conclusions:
- Systemic and cellular calcium metabolism are dysregulated in essential hypertension.
- Calcium-regulating hormones like PTH and calcitriol may mediate these changes.
- Dietary calcium supplementation shows potential in managing hypertension-related calcium imbalances.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between calcium metabolism and blood pressure regulation.
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