The circadian rhythm of calcium and bone homeostasis in Maasai

Anne Schou, Niklas Rye Jørgensen, Venance Phillip Maro, Kajiru Kilonzo, Kaushik Ramaiya, Joseph Sironga, Andreas Kryger Jensen, Dirk Lund Christensen*, Peter Schwarz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Objectives: Ethnic groups differ in prevalence of calcium-related diseases. Differences in the physiology and the endogenous circadian rhythm (CR) of calcium and bone homeostasis may play a role. Thus, we aimed to investigate details of CR pattern in calcium and bone homeostasis in East African Maasai. Methods: Ten clinically healthy adult Maasai men and women from Tanzania were examined. Blood samples were collected every 2nd hour for 24 h. Serum levels of total calcium, albumin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH)D, creatinine, C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and osteocalcin were measured. Circadian patterns were derived from graphic curves of medians, and rhythmicity was assessed with Fourier analysis. Results: PTH-levels varied over the 24 h exhibiting a bimodal pattern. Nadir level corresponded to 65% of total 24-h mean. CTX and P1NP showed 24-h variations with a morning nadir and nocturnal peak with nadir levels corresponding to 23% and 79% of the 24-h mean, respectively. Albumin-corrected calcium level was held in a narrow range and alterations were corresponding to alterations in PTH. There was no distinct pattern in 24-h variations of 25(OH)D, creatinine, osteocalcin, or BSAP. Conclusions: All participants showed pronounced 24-h variations in PTH and bone turnover markers CTX and P1NP. These findings support that Maasai participants included in this study have typical patterns of CR in calcium and bone homeostasis consistent with findings from other ethnic populations.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere23756
JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology
Volume34
Issue number8
Number of pages14
ISSN1042-0533
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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© 2022 The Authors. American Journal of Human Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

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