Pathophysiology of calcium metabolism.

Calcium (Ca) is a mineral that plays a central role in maintaining the homeostasis of vertebrate animals, including muscle contraction, blood coagulation, enzyme activity, neural excitability, hormone secretion, and cell adhesion.(1) It is also involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases which disrupt the normal regulation of Ca balance and may result in hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia.(2) The purpose of this manuscript is to review current concepts of the function of Ca, its regulation, and the role of Ca in specific disease processes.