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Electrolytes: M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009

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Electrolytes

Part 2

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 1


Bicarbonate
• 2nd most abundant anion of ECF.
• The major form of CO2 in plasma
• Major component of the HCO3- /H2CO3
buffering system.
• Serves as a transport form for CO2
produced from metabolic processes in
tissues

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 2


Regulation
• Bicarbonate conc. is regulated both in:
– Kidneys through increased or decreased
tubular reabsorption
– And in lungs through exhalation of gaseous
CO2 and H2O
• Decreased levels of HCO3- in plasma
result in acid-base disorder (acidosis)
• Increased levels result in alkalosis

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 3


Assay
• Two common methods:
1. Ion selective electrode
2. Enzymatic:
• converts all forms of CO2 to HCO3;
• HCO3 is used to caboxylate
phosphoenolpyruvate.
• Coupled enzyme reaction that measures the
amount of NADH consumed.
• The rate of absorbance change is proportional to
amount of CO2 present.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 4


Anion Gap
• Body water compartments exist in a state of
electroneutrality (anions=cations)
• Routine measurements: Na, K, Cl & HCO3 levels
• Anion Gap is the difference between
unmeasured anions and unmeasured cations.
• Formula: AG=(Na + K)- (Cl + HCO3)
• The "real" balance is given by the equation:
    [Na]+ [K] + [other cations] = [Cl] + [HCO3] + [other anions]
([Na]+ [K]) - ([Cl] + [HCO3])= [other anions] - [other cations]
= "Anion Gap“
M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 5
Anion Gap
• Some of the unmeasured cations (~7Mmol/L)
include calcium, magnesium, and most other
minerals.
• Unmeasured anions (~24 Mmol/L) include
proteins like albumin, and phosphates, sulfates,
etc.
• There are always more unmeasured anions than
cations, and thus the "anion gap" equation is
always greater than zero.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 6


Clinical Uses of the Anion Gap
• To detect the presence of a metabolic acidosis
• Help differentiate between causes of a metabolic
acidosis: high anion gap versus normal anion
gap metabolic acidosis.
• In an inorganic metabolic acidosis (eg due HCl
infusion), the infused Cl- replaces HCO3 and the
anion gap remains normal.
• In an organic acidosis, the lost bicarbonate is
replaced by the acid anion which is not normally
measured.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 7


Magnesium
• 4th most abundant cation in the body and 2nd
most abundant intracellular cation.
• 53 % of Mg found in the bone, 46 % in muscle
and tissue, <1% is present in the serum.
• The Mg circulating in serum is in the bound form
(one third-bound to albumin), of the remaining
two thirds- (61%) is in the free or ionized form, 5
% bound to phosphate and citrate.
• Free form is physiologically active.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 8


Regulation of Magnesium

• Regulated by dietary intake, intestine


may absorb 20-65 % of dietary intake
and body needs.
• Kidneys regulate absorption and
excretion of Mg.
• PTH increases the renal reabsorption of
Mg

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 9


Clinical Significance
• Roles in the body:
• Myocardial rhythm and contraction
• Cofactors in enzyme activation
• Regulation of ATPase ion pump
• Abnormal levels related to cardiovascular,
metabolic, and neuromuscular disorders.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 10


Hypo- & Hypermagnesaemia
• Hypomagnesaemia:
1. Reduce intake
2. Decreased absorption
3. Increased excretion

• Hypermagnesaemia caused by:


1. Decreased excretion
2. Increased intake

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 11


Assay
• Methods (colormetric)
1. Calmagite
2. Formazan dye
3. Methylthymol blue

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 12


Calcium (Ca+2)

• 99 % of calcium is associated with bone tissue


• Only 1 % of body calcium is in the plasma

– 45 % ionized (active form)


– 40 % protein bound
– 15 % bound to other compounds

• Critical component of cardiac function

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 13


Regulation

• Decreased plasma ionized Ca stimulates


release of PTH
• PTH increases renal reabsorption of
Calcium
• PTH stimulates Vitamin D activation
• Vitamin D increases GI absorption of
Calcium

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 14


Regulation

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 15


• Causes of hypocalcemia
– Hypoparathyroidism
– Vitamin D deficiency

• Causes of hypercalcemia
– Hyperparathyroidism

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 16


Phosphate
• Element found everywhere, participates in
various biochemical processes.
– Most significant: ATP, Creatine Phosphate,
phosphoenolpyruvate reactions.
– Important compound in the release of O2 from
Hb (2,3-DPG)
• Distribution: two forms
1. Organic
2. Inorganic

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 17


Regulation
• Absorbed in the intestine, regulated by renal
excretion or reabsorption.
• Renal regulation is effected by factors such as
Vit. D (↑), acid-base balance and PTH (↓).

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 18


Clinical application
• Hypophosphatemia: decreased level of
phosphate in blood
• Hyperphoahatemia: patients with acute
and chronic renal failure are at the
greatest risk for condition.

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 19


Assay
• Methods:
• Photometric method:
– the reaction of phosphate ions with molybdate
– form complex structures such as ammonium
phosphomolybdate
– One can measure phosphomolybdate complexes
directly or convert them to molybdenum blue using a
wide variety of reducing agents
• Enzymatic Method

M. Zaharna Clin. Chem. 2009 20

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