Factors Influencing Renal Calcium Excretion

Abstract

Nephrocalcinosis is associated with a number of clinical disorders such as primary hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, sarcoidosis, vitamin D toxication and the milk alkalii syndrome. In all of these disorders there are potential derangements of factors that normally regulate renal tubular calcium reabsorption. Thus, it is important to gain understanding of the possible reasons for nephrocalcinosis and these other disorders by reviewing the basic pathophysiology of calcium transport by the renal tubule. The basic mechanisms of renal calcium transport in various nephron segments have already been reviewed by Deetjeen. This review will assess the various physiological and pharmacological factors that can affect renal calcium transport at various nephron segments [1, 2].