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Comparative studies on the effects of semipurified and commercial diet on longevity and spontaneous and induced lesions in the Syrian golden hamster.

Syrian golden hamsters were fed a semipurified or commercial diet from weaning throughout life. Bis(2-oxopropyl)nitrosamine (BOP) was administered at 8 weeks of age (10 mg/kg body wt, sc). Longevity was improved by 26% and 36% increases in the mean life-spans of male and female hamsters, respectively, fed the semipurified diets. Carcinogen treatment did not alter survival. The age-adjusted occurrence rates of pancreatic ductular proliferation, carcinomas, adenomas, and common duct polyps were higher in hamsters fed commercial diet; this indicates an earlier onset of these BOP-induced lesions in hamsters fed this diet. However, their overall incidences were generally similar when the two diet groups were compared. Acinar cell nodules were observed only in hamsters fed semipurified diets and were elevated in BOP-treated females. The onset of pancreatic ductular proliferation and adenomas, bile duct proliferation, parathyroid hyperplasia, and common duct papillary hyperplasia was earlier in females than in male hamsters, especially in groups fed commercial ration. Generalized vascular calcification was observed at an elevated rate and reached a higher overall incidence in hamsters fed commercial ration. The age-adjusted rate of amyloidosis was high in female hamsters and elevated in groups that consumed the commercial ration. In addition, colitis and islet cell hyperplasia occurred more often and earlier in hamsters fed commercial ration, but gallbladder stones occurred most in animals fed semipurified diet. This paper discusses the possible association between these and other observed lesions and survival.

Adenoma↗

Malignant melanoma of the soft parts showing calciphylaxis.

Calciphylaxis is a poorly understood and highly morbid syndrome of vascular calcification and skin necrosis. Hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and secondary hyperparathyroidism are the factors implicated in the pathogenesis of calciphylaxis, which is generally identified in patients with hyperparathyroidism secondary to end-stage renal disease. It has also been observed in primary hyperparathyroidism, end-stage liver disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, in the absence of renal disease. There are few case reports of calciphylaxis occurring in hypercalcemia of malignancy. An unusual case is reported of calciphylaxis associated with malignant melanoma of the soft parts in the absence of renal or parathyroid disease. This is the first reported case of this soft tissue sarcoma showing calciphylactic changes.

Accidents↗

The long-term impact of 2-3 years of hormone replacement therapy on cardiovascular mortality and atherosclerosis in healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cardiovascular risk is intensely debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of HRT given for a few years on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and the severity of atherosclerosis. METHODS: This analysis was based on a cohort of 1,458 postmenopausal women (55.8 +/- 6.1 years old) who previously participated in a number of randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials assessing the efficacy of 2-3 years of therapy with various estrogen plus progestin combinations for preventing bone loss. Women were followed on average for 9.8 years and came for a follow-up visit. Outcome variables were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and the severity of atherosclerosis, as estimated by semi-quantitative scoring of vascular calcification in the lumbar aorta on lateral radiographs. RESULTS: A total of 174 women died during the observation period. All-cause mortality was decreased by 30% in the HRT+ group compared with the HRT- group (hazard ratio (HR) 0.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.97) after adjusting for age, body mass index and smoking. Under the same conditions, similar results characterized mortality from cardiovascular disease (n = 61 deaths; 35.1% of all deaths) and coronary heart disease (n = 39 deaths; 22.4% of all deaths), which were decreased by 46% (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-0.98, p = 0.045) and 53% (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.21-1.03, p = 0.062), respectively. Furthermore, the mean severity score of aortic calcification at follow-up was significantly lower in hormone-treated compared to non-treated women (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Women who receive 2-3 years of HRT after menopause do not have increased all-cause mortality, and results of the present study suggest relative cardiovascular benefits compared to those who had not used hormones.

Adult↗

Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study.

Vitamin K-dependent proteins, including matrix Gla-protein, have been shown to inhibit vascular calcification. Activation of these proteins via carboxylation depends on the availability of vitamin K. We examined whether dietary intake of phylloquinone (vitamin K-1) and menaquinone (vitamin K-2) were related to aortic calcification and coronary heart disease (CHD) in the population-based Rotterdam Study. The analysis included 4807 subjects with dietary data and no history of myocardial infarction at baseline (1990-1993) who were followed until January 1, 2000. The risk of incident CHD, all-cause mortality, and aortic atherosclerosis was studied in tertiles of energy-adjusted vitamin K intake after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, smoking, diabetes, education, and dietary factors. The relative risk (RR) of CHD mortality was reduced in the mid and upper tertiles of dietary menaquinone compared to the lower tertile [RR = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.45, 1.17) and 0.43 (0.24, 0.77), respectively]. Intake of menaquinone was also inversely related to all-cause mortality [RR = 0.91 (0.75, 1.09) and 0.74 (0.59, 0.92), respectively] and severe aortic calcification [odds ratio of 0.71 (0.50, 1.00) and 0.48 (0.32, 0.71), respectively]. Phylloquinone intake was not related to any of the outcomes. These findings suggest that an adequate intake of menaquinone could be important for CHD prevention.

Aortic Diseases↗

Iron overload and cardiovascular complications in dialysis patients.

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at a markedly increased risk for cardiovascular complications compared with the general population. In addition to traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia or cigarette smoking, a number of population-specific factors are implicated, such as anaemia, hyperhomocysteinaemia, hyperphosphataemia and vascular calcification, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress. Iron overload has been suggested to increase the cardiovascular risk in the general population. Iron supplementation is a widespread clinical practice in ESRD, especially in patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD). Iron may therefore contribute to cardiovascular complications through effects on low-density lipoprotein oxidation and endothelial dysfunction. Although the effects of iron stores and iron therapy on cardiovascular risk are not well defined in HD patients, the 'iron hypothesis' deserves attention: serum ferritin is a marker of morbidity and mortality in HD patients, and the administration of high amounts of intravenous iron increases the risks of hospitalization and death. In contrast to intravenous iron therapy, intestinal iron absorption is regulated by body iron stores and is suppressed in the presence of infection and iron overload. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the influence of iron stores and iron therapy on overall and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

Molecular targets of hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal failure.

Dietary phosphate restriction can prevent or retard the progress of chronic renal failure (CRF) and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The klotho gene is involved in the development of a syndrome resembling human ageing, and klotho mutant mice show abnormal calcium/vitamin D metabolism, developing hyperphosphataemia and vascular calcification. Phosphate retention rescues the phenotype of klotho mice. The level of expression of klotho RNA was greatly reduced in the kidneys of all CRF patients. Dietary P(i) restriction induced klotho expression, which enhances the beneficial effect of P(i) restriction in patients with CRF and/or on haemodialysis.

Animals↗

Effect of the duration of dialysis on survival in a cohort of chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis and vascular calcification are common in chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients, and usually progress with time. Whether the length of dialysis treatment in chronic HD patients is a significant independent risk factor of death is not clear. METHODS: A cohort of chronic HD patients from the Okinawa Dialysis Study, n=1243 (720 men, 523 women), was followed from January 1991 to December 2000, and their survival rates were compared against the duration of HD, which was calculated in months from the start of dialysis therapy to January 1991. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was done to examine the influence of the duration of dialysis on survival, after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, serum albumin concentration and diastolic blood pressure. The hazards ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. RESULTS: The mean duration of dialysis was 61.9 months and ranged from 1 to 233 months. The numbers of patients who died, underwent renal transplantation or were transferred outside Okinawa were 568 (45.7%), 61 (4.9%) and 14 (1.1%), respectively, during the study. The hazards ratio (95% CI) was 1.002 (1.000-1.004, P=0.0245) for non-diabetic patients and 1.006 (1.001-1.011, P=0.0214) for diabetic patients, suggesting that the longer the duration of dialysis, the greater the risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that prolonged dialysis is a significant predictor of death in chronic HD patients, in particular diabetic patients. Whether this is related to the progression of the atherosclerotic process or to uraemic conditions remains to be shown.

Age Factors↗

The importance of bone health in end-stage renal disease: out of the frying pan, into the fire?

In the early stages of renal failure, hyperparathyroidism develops as a compensatory mechanism to control serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and calcitriol. As kidney disease progresses, this ability to maintain mineral homeostasis is lost, leading to the development of renal osteodystrophy (ROD). Over the past decade, the pattern of ROD seen in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has changed. Previously, the majority of patients had mixed uraemic osteodystrophy or aluminium-related osteomalacia. The decreased use of aluminium-based phosphate binders, coupled with improvements in the management of hyperphosphataemia, led to a reduction in the prevalence of these types of ROD. Since the mid-1990s, there has been an increase in the prevalence of adynamic bone disease as a result of increased suppression of parathyroid hormone through the use of calcium-based phosphate binders and calcitriol therapy. Adynamic bone disease is also associated with several clinical factors, such as older age, use of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and the presence of diabetes mellitus, as well as the use of calcitriol therapy. Studies of calcium metabolism in patients with CKD have shown that adynamic bone disease is a distinct clinical condition that leads to hypercalcaemia via mechanisms different from that seen in high-turnover bone disease. As high calcium x phosphorus product has been associated with soft tissue and vascular calcifications, and increased mortality, optimizing bone health may be an important way of reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. To do this, novel, effective, non-calcium, non-aluminium phosphate binders will be necessary.

Calcinosis↗

Changes in common carotid artery intima-media thickness over 1 year in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular calcifications increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients on dialysis. Common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) is considered useful for imaging atherosclerosis non-invasively. Since chronic inflammation may accelerate atherosclerosis in end-stage renal disease patients, the aim of this 1 year study was to assess changes in CCA-IMT in stable peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and to search for possible associations between these changes and selected cytokines, acute phase proteins and other risk factors of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Of the original cohort of 61 stable patients on PD-28 female, 33 male; mean age 50.4+/-13.6 years; dialyse for a median of 17.5 months at inclusion (range 1-96 months)-47 patients survived the 1 year period on PD. CCA-IMT was assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNFalpha), acute phase proteins (CRP, fibrinogen), calcium-phosphate balance and lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Anthropometric parameters (age, weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio) were measured at baseline. RESULTS: The mean CCA-IMT at baseline, 0.66+/- 0.19 mm, increased by a mean of 0.098+/-0.17 to 0.76+/-0.21 mm (P<0.001) in 1 year. In 14 patients (29.8%) at least one plaque was found in the CCAs examined. At the end of follow-up: 28 patients (59.6%) had increases in CCA-IMT (from 0.63+/-0.2 to 0.83+/- 0.21 mm; P = 0.03), and 19 (40.4%) remained stable or even showed slight, but non-significant, decreases of CCA-IMT (from 0.72+/-0.17 to 0.66+/-0.17 mm, P = NS). The 'progressors' had significantly higher initial BMI (P<0.05), and mean concentrations of calcium (P = 0.005), IL-6 (P = 0.05), TNFalpha (P = 0.05), CRP (P = 0.005) and lower HDL-cholesterol than 'non-progressors'. In univariate analysis, DeltaCCA-IMT correlated positively with age (R = 0.32, P = 0.03), BMI (R = 0.29, P = 0.05) and mean concentrations of CRP (R = 0.37, P = 0.01), TNFalpha (0.52, P = 0.0002), but inversely with HDL-cholesterol (R = -0.37, P = 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, however, only age appeared to be independently associated with increase in CCA-IMT (beta = 0.37, P<0.01; R(2) for the model 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a possible role of non-specific inflammation in the progression of atherosclerosis in patients treated with PD, in addition to age.

Anthropometry↗

Factors influencing transperitoneal calcium balance during CAPD.

A dialysate containing a calcium concentration of 1.75 mmol/L has been the standard in CAPD for a long time. This concentration was chosen to achieve a positive calcium balance to suppress hyperparathyroidism. In the measurement of peritoneal calcium mass transfer, conflicting results have been published, with positive and negative calcium balances reported. These differences have been explained by differences in the filtration rate, and a negative correlation between the filtration rate and the peritoneal calcium mass transfer can be found. Whereas nearly all patients in this study had a negative calcium balance using a glucose solution of 3.86%, a wide variation was found for the 1.36% glucose solution. There were several patients who had a positive calcium balance despite a positive filtration rate. The explanation for this finding lay in differences in serum concentrations of calcium, and especially differences in the size of the total exchangeable calcium pool that contains the plasma calcium compartment. A negative correlation between peritoneal calcium balance and the size of the total exchangeable calcium pool could be demonstrated. This finding may explain the differences in the peritoneal calcium flux reported in the literature. As an enlargement of the exchangeable calcium pool correlates with the progression of vascular calcification, therapeutic efforts should be directed toward prevention of an enlargement of this pool.

Adult↗

Pathologic features of uterine leiomyomas following uterine artery embolization.

Bilateral uterine artery embolization has recently been employed as an alternative to operational treatment of uterine leiomyomas. The pathologic features induced by uterine artery embolization have not been previously described in detail. Usually patients experience symptomatic improvement with a reduction in size of the leiomyomas. This report describes the pathologic features in a series of 10 uterine leiomyomas where tissue was available for histologic examination following uterine artery embolization. Characteristic histologic features within the leiomyomas included massive necrosis, sometimes with dystrophic calcification, vascular thrombosis, and intravascular foreign material that elicited a histiocytic and foreign-body giant cell reaction. In some cases, intravascular foreign material was present elsewhere in the myometrium, the cervix, or paraovarian region. In occasional cases, there were foci of myometrial necrosis and microabscess formation beyond the confines of the leiomyomas. Foci of extrauterine inflammation were also occasionally identified. Histopathologists should be aware of these findings because the use of uterine artery embolization will possibly become more widespread in the future.

Adult↗

Calciphylaxis: is there a role for parathyroidectomy?

OBJECTIVE: Calciphylaxis, a rare disorder typically affecting renal failure patients, results in vascular calcification with subsequent skin necrosis, gangrene, and often death from sepsis. Parathyroid hormone is thought to act as a tissue sensitizer leading to these soft tissue changes. As such, parathyroidectomy is often advocated to control this complicated condition. A discussion of calciphylaxis does not exist in the otolaryngology literature, and head and neck surgeons performing parathyroidectomy should be aware of this phenomenon. This study evaluates the success of parathyroidectomy in reversing the ill effects of calciphylaxis in both our patient population and the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study and review of the literature. METHODS: Five patients with calciphylaxis treated at our institution were evaluated for mortality, surgical and perioperative complications, wound healing, and predictors of patient outcomes. RESULTS: Two patients died from sepsis and infectious complications of their calciphylaxis shortly after surgery. Of the three survivors, two later died (15 and 18 mo after surgery) from causes not directly related to calciphylaxis. The other long-term survivor required partial amputation of a leg for osteomyelitis. There was one operative complication-- wound infection requiring antibiotic therapy, drainage, and packing. Postoperative hypocalcemia required treatment in two patients. Immediate perioperative survival was more likely in patients with leukocyte counts less than 20,000 cells/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Calciphylaxis is a serious disease and patients often succumb to sepsis and infectious complications. Patients with extremely high leukocyte counts from coexistent infections may have a worse prognosis. Although a conclusive effective therapy does not exist, parathyroidectomy can be safely performed and may benefit some patients with what is often an otherwise fatal disease. The literature to date generally confirms our findings. Key Words: Calciphylaxis, parathyroid hormone, parathyroidectomy, skin necrosis, chronic renal failure.

Aged↗

Lethal post-transplantation calcinosis.

The case studies of four patients with post-transplantation calcinosis are presented. Three of the four patients died of inanition and sepsis secondary to infection of extensive soft tissue ulcers and diffuse cutaneous vascular calcification with gangrene. The fourth patient survived following removal of all four parathyroid glands and autografting of approximately one-half of one gland. Common to the patients was secondary hyperparathyroidism, elevated mean serum calcium levels after transplantation, and radiographic evidence of small and medium vessel calcification. No other differences could be found between these patients and other patients with post-transplantation hyperparathyroidism without calcinosis. In the face of apparently minor complaints of lower extremity discomfort, elevated parathyroid hormone levels (PTH) and positive xerography may indicate subtotal parathyroidectomy regardless of the serum calcium level.

Adult↗

Consequences of hyperphosphatemia and elevated levels of the calcium-phosphorus product in dialysis patients.

Control of serum phosphorus levels is a central goal in the management of patients with chronic renal failure. Inadequate control of serum phosphorus leads to elevated levels of the calcium-phosphorus product. This plays a pivotal role in vascular calcification, cardiovascular disease, calciphylaxis, and death. Elevated phosphorus and elevated levels of the calcium-phosphorus product are both significant predictors of cardiovascular mortality, at phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus product levels that were considered safe until recently. A lowering of levels such that phosphorus is maintained between 2.2 and 5.5 mg/dl, calcium-phosphorus product is below 55 mg(2)/dl(2), and serum calcium is at 9.2-9.6 mg/dl, respectively, might well be the goal of therapeutic management strategies.

Bone and Bones↗

Bone morphogenetic protein-7: an anti-fibrotic morphogenetic protein with therapeutic importance in renal disease.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are members of the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily of cytokines and consist of a group of at least 15 morphogens involved in intracellular messaging through complex bone morphogenetic protein receptor mediated Smad signaling. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 knockout mice die shortly after birth due to uremia, demonstrating that this morphogenetic protein is essential for renal development. Recent investigations have characterized renal bone morphogenetic protein-7 receptors, shown exogenous bone morphogenetic protein-7 to prevent fibrogenesis associated with ureteral obstruction, indicated a loss of renal bone morphogenetic protein-7 associated with diabetic nephropathy, and an improvement in glomerular pathology in rodent streptozocin-induced diabetes with bone morphogenetic protein-7 treatment. In addition, this morphogenetic protein has been shown to reduce glomerulonephritis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a murine model of lupus nephritis as well as decrease the peritrabecular fibrosis associated with murine high turnover renal osteodystrophy. Finally, we review the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 on vascular calcification in an animal model, a potential complication of this therapy given its osseous morphogenetic effect.

Animals↗

Genetic studies of chondrocalcinosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Our understanding of the causation of the chondrocalcinosis and other disorders characterized by ectopic mineralization is rapidly increasing, and genetic studies have contributed substantially to recent major advances in the field. This review will discuss what is known about the genetics of chondrocalcinosis and what we have learned from genetic studies to date. RECENT FINDINGS: Chondrocalcinosis is one of a family of conditions associated with ectopic mineralization. This family also includes disorders of mineralization of bone and spinal and other ligaments, and vascular calcification. There has been increasing evidence of the key role of transport and metabolism of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in control of mineralization, and as the likely explanation for the association of a variety of genetic variants with chondrocalcinosis and ectopic mineralization elsewhere. This may be an overly simplistic view of this family of conditions, with recent evidence suggesting that, for example, ANKH variants may not all predispose to chondrocalcinosis by effects on PPi transport, but may also influence chondrocyte maturation. SUMMARY: Understanding the control of the process of mineralization and its tissue specificity are important steps in the search for rational therapies for these conditions.

Animals↗

Recent findings in phosphate homeostasis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We summarize the most recent findings on the proteins that interact with sodium/inorganic phosphate (Na/Pi) cotransporters, the factors that regulate Pi homeostasis and their role in pathology. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies in animal models and cell lines identified proteins mandatory to correct trafficking of the kidney-specific Na/Pi cotransporter NPT2a and its control by the parathyroid hormone. Expression of the intestinal cotransporter NPT2b is controlled by calcitriol, the ubiquitin ligase Nedd-4 and the serum glucocorticoid inducible kinase. Recent data confirm that fibroblast growth factor 23 plays a central role in the control of Pi homeostasis. Mice disrupted for or overexpressing this gene exhibit significant alteration of Pi transport and calcitriol metabolism. In humans, fibroblast growth factor 23 mutations are responsible for autosomal hypophosphataemic rickets or tumoral calcinosis. This gene also seems to be involved in hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease. Several new phosphaturic factors have been identified. Moderate increases in serum Pi concentration may have deleterious effects on lifespan in humans with chronic kidney disease. Disruption of the Klotho gene in mice is associated with hyperphosphataemia and decreased lifespan. Polymorphisms in this gene, in humans and in mice, influence vascular calcification and survival. SUMMARY: Pi homeostasis depends on the activity of Na/Pi cotransporters in intestine and kidney. Na/Pi transporter activity is regulated by cellular and endocrine factors, among which fibroblast growth factor 23 plays a central role. Adequate control of Pi homeostasis is crucial, as a moderate increase in serum Pi concentration and polymorphisms in genes involved in Pi metabolism may influence the aging process and lifespan.

Animals↗

Calcimimetics: a remedy for all problems of excess parathyroid hormone activity in chronic kidney disease?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic agent that is now available for use clinically to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism among patients undergoing dialysis regularly. It acts as an allosteric activator of the calcium-sensing receptor, the molecular mechanism that controls parathyroid hormone secretion. This mechanism of action differs fundamentally from that of the vitamin D sterols, which heretofore have been the only definitive pharmacological intervention for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism. RECENT FINDINGS: The ability of calcimimetic agents to enhance signaling through the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells affects several important components of parathyroid gland function. Results from several large clinical trials demonstrate that cinacalcet effectively lowers plasma parathyroid hormone levels in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism when used either alone or together with vitamin D. Unlike the vitamin D sterols, which generally raise serum calcium and phosphorus levels, treatment with cinacalcet is associated with modest reductions in serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The impact of these biochemical changes on renal bone disease and on soft-tissue and vascular calcification during long-term treatment has yet to be characterized fully. Cinacalcet also diminishes parathyroid hormone gene expression, and studies in experimental animals indicate that its use retards the progression of parathyroid gland hyperplasia and increases bone mass. If confirmed in future clinical trials in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, these features represent potentially important ancillary therapeutic benefits. SUMMARY: Calcimimetic agents have diverse effects on parathyroid gland function that may enhance the overall medical management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing dialysis regularly.

Animals↗