Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

20.3K

The Key Role of Phosphate on Vascular Calcification

Mario Cozzolino1, Paola Ciceri2, Andrea Galassi3

  • 1Renal Division, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy. mario.cozzolino@unimi.it.

Toxins
|April 12, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Vascular calcification is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD), increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Managing calcium and phosphate balance is crucial, as specific therapies to reverse vascular calcification are lacking.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Vascular calcification (VC) is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, irrespective of dialysis status.
  • VC is considered a hallmark of CKD and is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality.
  • VC manifests in various forms, each indicating systemic vascular disease and higher CVD prevalence in CKD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significance of vascular calcification in CKD.
  • To identify major risk factors contributing to VC in CKD patients.
  • To discuss current management strategies and the lack of specific therapies for VC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical studies on vascular calcification in CKD.
  • Analysis of risk factors associated with VC progression.
  • Evaluation of the impact of phosphate binders on VC.

Main Results:

  • Key risk factors for VC in CKD include advanced age, long dialysis vintage, hyperphosphatemia, hypercalcemia, and positive calcium/phosphate balance.
  • Excessive oral calcium intake and calcium-based phosphate binders exacerbate VC.
  • Non-calcium-based phosphate binders are associated with reduced VC progression.

Conclusions:

  • VC is a significant complication in CKD, associated with increased CVD risk.
  • Management should focus on balancing calcium and phosphate levels.
  • Effective therapies to prevent or reverse VC in CKD are currently unavailable.

Keywords:
chronic kidney diseasehyperphosphatemiaphosphate bindersecondary hyperparathyroidismvascular calcification

More Related Videos

Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Vascular Calcification Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models09:01

Analysis of Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Vascular Calcification Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models

Published on: January 27, 2023

2.1K
Isolation and Characterization of Primary Rat Valve Interstitial Cells: A New Model to Study Aortic Valve Calcification08:55

Isolation and Characterization of Primary Rat Valve Interstitial Cells: A New Model to Study Aortic Valve Calcification

Published on: November 20, 2017

10.2K

Related Concept Videos

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate01:27

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily...
1.1K
Phosphate Buffer01:22

Phosphate Buffer

The phosphate buffer system is a critical biological mechanism for maintaining pH stability in the body. This system operates primarily through two components: sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4), which acts as a weak acid, and sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4), which serves as a weak base.
Sodium dihydrogen phosphate does not fully dissociate in neutral or acidic solutions. When a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), is introduced into the solution, sodium dihydrogen phosphate...
5.0K
Key Techniques in Microbiology01:19

Key Techniques in Microbiology

Aseptic techniques prevent contamination, ensure experimental accuracy, and protect researchers and microbial cultures. These techniques are essential in clinical, industrial, and research settings where sterility is required.Maintaining Sterility in Laboratory PracticesScientists maintain sterility by sterilizing tools with heat or chemicals, disinfecting work surfaces, and handling cultures in controlled environments. Working near an open flame or within a laminar flow hood reduces the risk...
2.1K
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
24.1K
Seedless Vascular Plants03:24

Seedless Vascular Plants

Seedless Vascular Plants Were the First Tall Plants on Earth
66.7K
Role of Septins01:02

Role of Septins

Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
2.1K