Elsevier, Kidney International, 9(73), p. 989-991, 2008
DOI: 10.1038/ki.2008.104
Full text: Unavailable
Vascular calcification is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A number of calcification inhibitors have been defined recently, including inorganic pyrophosphate (PP(i)), an important physicochemical inhibitor of hydroxyapatite crystal growth. Increased hydrolysis of PP(i) by tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) may occur in renal failure and act to enhance mineralization of vessels.