title: Accelerated atherosclerotic calcification and Monckeberg's sclerosis: a continuum of advanced vascular pathology in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Autopsy studies have demonstrated the near universal presence of fatty streaks and fibroatheromas in the general population from which patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) arise. The vast majority of patients with CKD have multiple conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Vascular atherosclerotic calcification develops in most patients as they transition from the general population to significant CKD as part of cholesterol crystallization within atherosclerotic lesions. Once present, however, atherosclerotic medial calcification can become prominent and has been previously identified as Mönckeberg's sclerosis. A unifying concept supported by the preponderance of pathologic evidence contends that Mönckeberg's sclerosis is a manifestation of accelerated atherosclerosis in patients with CKD. The term has also been used in rare cases to describe vascular calcinosis not related to CKD. This clarification is critical to advance the field in terms of pathologic diagnosis and treatment of CKD bone and mineral disorder. Factors that seem to promote the osteoblastic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells and enhance deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals include phosphorus activation of the Pit-1 receptor, bone morphogenic proteins 2 and 4, leptin, endogenous 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, vascular calcification activating factor, and measures of oxidative stress. These entities work to accelerate the atherosclerotic process in patients with CKD and may be future targets for diagnosis and treatment because randomized trials with hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors have failed to attenuate the rate of progressive vascular calcification.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition and Preventive Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, 4949 Coolidge, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA. pmc975@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.forename: Varun
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Danielewicz
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Abela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050380:Monckeberg Medial Calcific Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors