Abstract Aims: Hypercalcaemia is known to be associated with systemic metabolic alkalosis, although the underlying mechanism is uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether hypercalcaemia was associated with changes in the expression of acid–base transporters in the kidney. Methods: Rats were infused with human parathyroid hormone (PTH, 15 μ g kg −1 day −1 ), or vehicle for 48 h using osmotic minipumps. Results: The rats treated with PTH developed hypercalcaemia and exhibited metabolic alkalosis (arterial HCO : 31.1 ± 0.8 vs. 28.1 ± 0.8 mmol L −1 in controls, P < 0.05, n = 6), whereas the urine pH of 6.85 ± 0.1 was significantly decreased compared with the pH of 7.38 ± 0.1 in controls ( P < 0.05, n = 12). The observed alkalosis was associated with a significantly increased expression of the B1‐subunit of the H + ‐ATPase in kidney inner medulla (IM, 233 ± 45% of the control level). In contrast, electroneutral Na + ‐HCO cotransporter NBCn1 and Cl − /HCO anion exchanger AE2 expression was markedly reduced in the inner stripe of the outer medulla (to 26 ± 9% and 65 ± 6%, respectively). These findings were verified by immunohistochemistry. Conclusions: (1) hypercalcaemia‐induced metabolic alkalosis was associated with increased urinary excretion of H + ; (2) the increased H + ‐ATPase expression in IM may partly explain the enhanced urinary acidification, which is speculated to prevent stone formation because of hypercalciuria and (3) the decreased expression of outer medullary AE2 suggests a compensatory reduction of the transepithelial bicarbonate transport.
In public debates contemporary Denmark stands out as an extraordinary nationalist and racist country. This is particularly so on issues concerned with Islam and Muslim immigration. The growth of the nationalist political party Dansk folkeparti, the Muhammad caricatures and harsh laws regulating family reunion are often used as examples by outside observers trying to describe political transformations in the country. These, and some other themes, are discussed in the anthology Islam in Denmark: The Challenge of Diversity (2012), edited by Jørgen S. Nielsen, professor and director of The Centre for European Islamic Thought at the University of Copenhagen. What kind of Islamic diversity is it that challenges Denmark?
