Bisphosphonates prevent experimental vascular calcification: Treat the bone to cure the vessels?

Author(s): Persy V, De Broe M, Ketteler M

Affiliation(s): Department of Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. veerle.persy@ua.ac.be

Publication date & source: 2006-11, Kidney Int., 70(9):1537-8.

Publication type: Comment; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Bisphosphonates are inhibitors of bone resorption that are widely used to treat osteoporosis. Price and colleagues demonstrate that ibandronate suppressed the development of uremia-related vascular calcification in rats. These findings extend the link between bone remodeling and vascular calcification to the context of chronic renal failure, opening perspectives toward novel therapeutic strategies.