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Abstract
Bone biology is physiologically complex and intimately linked to calcium homeostasis.
The literature provides a wealth of qualitative and/or quantitative descriptions of
cellular mechanisms, bone dynamics, associated organ dynamics, related disease sequela,
and results of therapeutic interventions. We present a physiologically based mathematical
model of integrated calcium homeostasis and bone biology constructed from literature
data. The model includes relevant cellular aspects with major controlling mechanisms
for bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis and appropriately describes a broad range
of clinical and therapeutic conditions. These include changes in plasma parathyroid
hormone (PTH), calcitriol, calcium and phosphate (PO4), and bone-remodeling markers
as manifested by hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism, renal insufficiency,
daily PTH 1-34 administration, and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)
inhibition. This model highlights the utility of systems approaches to physiologic
modeling in the bone field. The presented bone and calcium homeostasis model provides
an integrated mathematical construct to conduct hypothesis testing of influential
system aspects, to visualize elements of this complex endocrine system, and to continue
to build upon iteratively with the results of ongoing scientific research.
Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.