title: Effect of warfarin sodium therapy on excretion of 4-carboxy-L-glutamic acid in scleroderma, dermatomyositis, and myositis ossificans progressiva.
abstract: The effect of warfarin sodium on excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and 4-carboxy-L-glutamic acid (Gla) was studied in 5 patients with ectopic calcification (2 with scleroderma, 1 with dermatomyositis, and 2 with myositis ossificans progressiva). Warfarin reduced urinary excretion of Gla in all patients, but no changes in calcium and phosphorus excretion or in objective parameters of calcinosis were observed during 6-36 months of treatment. Two patients experienced hemorrhagic complications during therapy, emphasizing a hazard of long-term anticoagulation treatment. Since ectopic calcium deposits contain Gla-rich protein, suppression of Gla synthesis by warfarin sodium over a longer period may prevent deposition and allow removal of existing calcinosis deposits.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002118:Calcium / Q000652:urine; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000652:urine; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005971:Glutamates / Q000652:urine*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009221:Myositis Ossificans / Q000652:urine*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000652:urine; D011859:Radiography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000652:urine*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005971:Glutamates; D010758:Phosphorus; D014859:Warfarin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium