Calcification and Physiology

Book excerpt: The Biochemistry and Physiology of Bone, Second Edition: Volume IV: Calcification and Physiology explores the biochemical and physiological aspects of bone calcification. It discusses the comparative physiology of bone, the organelles involved in the local mechanism of calcification, bone tracer uptake and removal, and matrix vesicles of cartilage and bone. It explains the parathyroid biosynthesis and metabolism, cellular and humoral factors in bone resorption, electrical properties of bone, circulation in relation to bone growth and metabolism, and dentin and bone formation. Organized into 12 chapters, this edition begins with an overview of noncalcifying matrix and its conversion to calcifiable matrix, impregnation of collagen, and extraskeletal calcification. The remaining chapters focus on the effects of pyrophosphate and diphosphonates on calcium metabolism and skeletal turnover, calcium kinetics in plasma, the method matrix vesicles use in initiating calcification, the chemistry of parathyroid biosynthesis and metabolism, and mammalian osteopetrosis as a model for investigating cellular and humoral factors involved in bone resorption. It also discusses the use of electron spin resonance spectrometry in studying mineralized tissues, electrical response in flexed wet bone, bone blood volume and flow, and origin and fate of bone cells. The book concludes with a chapter on the biogenesis of matrix and mineral components of dentin and bone tissues. This book is highly recommended to biochemists, cell biologists, physiologists, anatomists, orthopedists, pathologists, clinicians, biomedical engineers, graduate students, professors, and others interested in the calcification and physiology of bone.