[Collagen metabolism and mineralization of uremic bone--aspects of the molecular pathology of renal osteodystrophy].

Importance sequelae of uremia are hormonal changes in calcium homeostasis combined with chronic calcium imbalance causing structural alteration and functional insufficiency of bone. Morphological findings of the so called renal osteodystrophy are osteomalacia, osteitis fibrosa and osteoporosis. Osteitis fibrosa and abnormal skeletal metabolism (changes of collagen turnover, insufficient maturation of stable bone crystals) impair the mechanical qualities of bone. Probably the uremia per se influences the collagen metabolism; additional factors such as secondary hyperparathyroidism and deficiency of vitamin D3 are discussed.