[Bisphosphonates for vascular calcification]

Abstract

Recent progress in basic research has revealed certain similarities between processes of bone calcification and calcifications of vascular tissues which contribute to several cardiovascular diseases. Bisphosphonates, which are inhibitors of bone resorption that are widely used to treat osteoporosis, also inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, differentiation of macrophage to foam cell, differentiation of smooth muscle cells to osteoblast-like cells in certain stimuli during calcification processes of vessels. These findings extend the link between bone remodeling and vascular calcification, opening perspectives toward novel therapeutic strategies, however, current evidence is not conclusive and further research is necessary to confirm these actions in the clinical setting.