Transient hypoparathyroidism during acute alcohol intoxication

Article Abstract:

Low calcium and magnesium levels are common among heavy drinkers, and this condition has been thought to have been caused by poor nutrition, increased excretion, poor absorption, and other factors, but how this happened was unclear. The role of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium concentrations in the body, is poorly understood. For purposes of studying this relationship, a group of seventeen normal men and seven normal women drank enough alcohol to produce acute intoxication. The short-term effects on the metabolism of calcium and magnesium, and the levels of parathyroid hormone, vitamin D and calcitonin were measured. The results showed that acute alcohol intoxication causes temporary low parathyroid levels (hypoparathyroidism), low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia), increased levels of magnesium in the blood (hypermagnesemia), and an increase in calcium (hypercalciuria) and magnesium (hypermagnesuria) in the urine. An interesting finding was the decrease of parathyroid hormone in the blood, and its rebound above normal levels during recovery. The low levels during intoxication could be caused by decreased secretion or increased excretion of the hormone, but the former is more likely. The increase in magnesium in the blood and urine suggests that this effect is not caused by the kidneys, as generally thought, but is a result of increased magnesium in the blood and transitory low parathyroidism levels. This may explain the development of alcohol-related bone disease, although osteoporosis (loss of calcium from the bones) is not caused by low parathyroid levels. However, the cycles of low and high parathyroid may damage bone tissue. Chronic alcoholism, and even social drinking, may suppress the activity of bone-building cells (osteoblasts). This is especially important for women because of their greater tendency to develop osteoporosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Parathyroid hormone, Parathyroid hormones, Hypoparathyroidism

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Familial hypocalcemia - not hypoparathyroidism

Article Abstract:

The discovery that mutations in the gene for the calcium-sensing receptor can cause hypocalcemia raises the possibility of developing a drug that can stimulate the receptor. Hypocalcemia is a deficiency of calcium in the blood, which can cause convulsions and tetany if severe enough. A 1996 study found that 5 out of 6 families with a history of hypocalcemia had a mutation in the calcium-sensing receptor gene. Mild hypocalcemia can be treated with calcium supplements. If the condition is more severe, vitamin D should be prescribed.

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Editorial, Gene mutations, Gene mutation, Genetic aspects, Familial diseases

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Bone loss after cardiac transplantation

Article Abstract:

It is observed that by the time of cardiac transplantation, many patients have clinically significant bone disease, 'osteoporosis', which occurs in at least 10 percent of these patients. The long period of illness before transplantation, often accompanied by poor nutrition, limited mobility, weight loss, gonadal dysfunction, and treatment with medications that are detrimental to the skeleton are all contributing factors for osteoporosis.

Complications and side effects, Bone diseases, Heart transplantation

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