Mechanism of Vascular Calcification : Role of Calcium and Phosphate Metabolism

血管钙化是动脉粥样硬化内膜病变的常见表现。在慢性肾功能衰竭患者中，血管钙化导致发病率和死亡率。虽然调节血管钙化的分子机制仍不清楚，但最近的研究表明，血管钙化可能是一个积极调节的过程，其中血管细胞可能获得成骨细胞样功能。一些临床研究表明，高血清磷水平与血管钙化和血管疾病的程度高度相关。体外研究表明，无机磷酸盐调节骨基质蛋白的表达，并且无机磷酸盐通过钠依赖性磷酸盐转运系统调节钙化。这些结果表明，无机磷酸盐可能在血管钙化的发展中发挥重要作用。

Vascular calcification is often encountered in the development of atherosclerotic intimal lesions. In chronic renal failure patients, vascular calcification contributes to both the morbidity and mortality. Although the molecular mechanisms regulating vascular calcification remain obscure, recent studies suggest that vascular calcification may be an actively regulated process in which vascular cells may acquire osteoblast-like functions. Several clinical studies indicate that a high serum phosphate level is highly correlated with the extent of vascular calcification and vascular disease. In vitro studies demonstrated that inorganic phosphate regulates the expression of bone matrix proteins, and that calcification is regulated by inorganic phosphate through a sodium dependent phosphate transport system. These findings suggest that inorganic phosphate may play an important role in the development of vascular calcification.