Prevention of vascular calcification: is pyrophosphate therapy a solution?

Abstract

Pyrophosphate, a ubiquitous small-molecule inhibitor of mineralization abundantly present in the extracellular environment, binds to calcium and mineral surfaces to inhibit crystal growth. O'Neill and colleagues show in uremic rats that systemic administration of pyrophosphate prevents or reduces uremia-related vascular calcification, without overt negative consequences for bone and without calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. These findings prompt further research into the potential of pyrophosphate as treatment for vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease patients.

• Authors: Veerle P Persy, Marc D McKee
• Journal: Kidney international (Kidney Int) Vol. 79 Issue 5 Pg. 490-3 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1523-1755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21321558 (Publication Type: Comment, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Diphosphates
• Osteopontin
• ALPL protein, human
• Alkaline Phosphatase
• sodium pyrophosphate

Topics

• Alkaline Phosphatase (genetics, physiology)
• Animals
• Calcinosis (prevention & control)
• Diphosphates (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Osteopontin (physiology)
• Rats
• Uremia (complications)
• Vascular Diseases (prevention & control)