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Bone-vascular cross-talk

Gérard M London1

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Centre Hospitalier Manhès, Fleury Mérogis, and INSERM U970, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France. glondon@club-internet.fr

Journal of Nephrology
|June 20, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Cardiovascular calcifications are linked to bone disorders like osteoporosis in general and chronic kidney disease populations. Shared pathways like inflammation and oxidative stress may explain this bone-vascular cross-talk.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Bone Biology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Cross-sectional studies reveal associations between cardiovascular calcifications and bone disorders (osteoporosis, osteopenia, altered bone activity) in general and chronic kidney disease (CKD) / end-stage renal disease (ESRD) populations.
  • The concept of bone-vascular cross-talk is proposed to explain the biological links between bone and arterial abnormalities.
  • The precise mechanisms driving this bone-cardiovascular axis remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential mechanisms underlying the observed bone-cardiovascular axis.
  • To elucidate the biological links between bone disorders and arterial calcification.
  • To identify common pathways contributing to both bone and vascular pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing cross-sectional study findings.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms for bone-vascular interactions.
  • Identification of shared etiological factors.

Main Results:

  • Potential mechanisms include common factors influencing bone remodeling and arterial calcification.
  • Compromised bone blood supply leading to arteriosclerosis and reduced perfusion is another proposed pathway.
  • Direct influence of bone cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes) on vascular biology and structure is also considered.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation and reactive oxygen species accumulation are identified as principal common pathways linking bone and arterial pathologies.
  • Understanding bone-vascular cross-talk is crucial for managing patients with both bone disorders and cardiovascular complications, particularly in CKD/ESRD.
  • Further research is warranted to fully delineate these complex interactions.

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