title: Role for alkaline phosphatase as an inducer of vascular calcification in renal failure?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany. schoppet@mailer.uni-marburg.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schoppet
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shanahan
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology*; D051381:Rats; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase