Uremic Vascular Calcification In Patients With Histological And Molecular Mechanisms Discussed

ObjectiveTo observe the smooth muscle actin a(a-SMA) and osteopontin(OP) expressions in the radial arteries from uremia patients and their relationships with vascular calcification.MethodsA piece of radial artery was removed from 30 uremia patients during arterial venous fistular operation. The arteries were examined histologically for calcification by von Kossa staining. Expressions of smooth muscle actin α(α-SMA) and osteopontin (OP) were detected by immunohistochemistry and compared with normal controls.ResultsNormal arteries express abundant α-SMA, without deposition of calcium and OP expression. In uremia arteries, the calcification was mainly located in the medial layer detected with von Kossa staining. Nineteen (63.33%) patients had no evidence of calcification, six(20%) had mild/moderate calcification , and five( 16.66 % ) had severe calcification. The calcification score was positively correlated with serum calcium, serum phosphorus and calcium X phosphorus product(P<0.01). The occurrence of calcification is also associated with age and the history of type 2 diabetes. In contrast, there was no difference in the...