Phosphorus: the philosopher's stone discovered in 1669.
Recently the importance in nephrology of phosphorus as phosphate has been highlighted by chronic renal failure patients, in whom the toxic effect of phosphate is widely acknowledged, given the association of phosphate serum level with cardiovascular risk. This association is not limited to chronic renal failure and hemodialysis patients as high serum phosphate. Recently high serum phosphate levels were associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease in subjects free from chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease as well, and with progression of atherosclerosis. It is useful to know the history of phosphorus from its discovery in 1669, because that history gives us more evidence to better understand the negative and/or toxic effects of high phosphate serum levels and to identify phosphorus as a physiologically crucial anion.
Savica
Vincenzo
V
Department of Nephrology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. visavica@tin.it
Santoro
Domenico
D
Mallamace
Agostino
A
Monardo
Paolo
P
Davis
Paul A
PA
Calò
Lorenzo A
LA
Li Vecchi
Maurizio
M
Muraca
Ugo
U
Bellinghieri
Guido
G
D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D008374:Manuscripts, Medical as Topic / Q000266:history; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000266:history* / Q000502:physiology
D010758:Phosphorus