Lanthanum carbonate, a phosphate binder, inhibits calcification of implanted aortic allografts in a rat model

Calcification is one of the major postoperative problems after aortic allograft implantation. We hypothesized that phosphate binders, lanthanum carbonate and calcium carbonate inhibit calcification of implanted aortic allografts and verified this hypothesis using a rat model.

Aortas were harvested from 4-week-old Brown Norway rats and implanted into the subdermal space of 4-week-old Lewis rats. Twenty-seven recipient Lewis rats were divided into Group N, Group L, and Group C (9 rats per group), which were fed a normal diet, a normal diet containing 3% lanthanum carbonate, and a normal diet containing 3% calcium carbonate, respectively. Implanted aortic allografts were explanted 2 weeks later. Calcification of aortic allografts was evaluated using von Kossa staining and calcium content assay. Calcification score was defined in von Kossa staining as 0 (none), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). Serum calcium and phosphorus levels at euthanasia were measured.

Calcification scores were 2.6, 1.2, and 0.8, and calcium content was 48.9, 15.8, and 8.9 mg/dry·g, in Groups N, L, and C, respectively. Calcification was significantly reduced in Groups L and C. Serum calcium level was 11.5, 12.2, and 13.5 mg/dl, and serum phosphorus level was 15.4, 12.5, and 11.7 mg/dl, in Groups N, L, and C, respectively. Serum calcium level in Group C was significantly higher than in the other two groups.

Lanthanum carbonate and calcium carbonate significantly reduced calcification of implanted aortic allografts in young rats. Although calcium carbonate induced hypercalcemia, lanthanum carbonate has significant potential to inhibit calcification of implanted aortic allografts.