Final answer:
Loop diuretics increase the excretion of calcium by inhibiting reabsorption of electrolytes in the loop of Henle, while thiazide diuretics decrease calcium excretion by promoting its reabsorption in the distal tubules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has inquired about the type of diuretic that increases the excretion of calcium and also wishes to know which decreases calcium excretion. Loop diuretics are known to increase urine output as well as the excretion of electrolytes, including sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), which in turn increases the excretion of calcium. On the other hand, thiazide diuretics decrease calcium excretion by promoting calcium reabsorption in the distal tubules of the kidneys. In can be summarized that loop diuretics increase, while thiazide diuretics decrease, urinary excretion of calcium.
Diuretics overall have a significant role in treating various cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and congestive heart failure, as they help to regulate fluid balance and electrolyte levels in the body. When considering their effects on calcium excretion, it's important to note how various diuretics differently influence the reabsorption and secretion processes in the kidneys, with particular attention to the loop of Henle and distal tubules where these exchanges take place.