Radionuclide Mineral Studies

RECENTLY, emphasis has been placed on the role of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase in calcium metabolism (Tanabe and Wilcox, 1960; Hurwitz and Griminger, 1961). The level of this enzyme in chick serum has been associated with various conditions, many of which are related to the metabolism of bone and connective tissue. Serum calcium is in equilibrium with body stores of calcium. The parathyroid hormone functions in this equilibrium process (Talmage et al., 1953). The process by which bone calcium is resorbed is not fully understood, but the presence of the osteoclasts suggests that active systems are involved. Alkaline phosphatase may be associated with these systems. Oral administration of water and Ca45 in water to the chick affects drastic changes in the level of serum alkaline phosphatase (Martin and Patrick, 1961). These data further suggested that the effect of water dosage was associated with decalcification of the bone, perhaps mediated …