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Torrijo-Belanche C, Moreno-Franco B, Muñoz-Cabrejas A, Calvo-Galiano N, Casasnovas JA, Sayón-Orea C, Guallar-Castillón P. High Serum Phosphate Is Associated with Cardiovascular Mortality and Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2024; 16:1599. [PMID: 38892532 PMCID: PMC11174514 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of the study was to examine the existing published results of the association between elevated serum phosphate concentrations and cardiovascular mortality, along with the CVD incidence and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, in primary prevention among non-selected samples of the general population. (2) Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out using literature obtained from PubMed, SCOPUS, and the Web Of Science until March 2024 and following the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant information was extracted and presented. Random and fixed effects models were used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with their 95% coefficient interval (CI), and I2 was used to assess heterogeneity. (3) Results: Twenty-five studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis (11 cross-sectional and 14 cohort studies). For cardiovascular mortality, which included 7 cohort studies and 41,764 adults, the pooled HR was 1.44 (95% CIs 1.28, 1.61; I2 0%) when the highest versus the reference level of serum phosphate concentrations were compared. For CVDs, which included 8 cohort studies and 61,723 adults, the pooled HR was 1.12 (95% CIs 0.99, 1.27; I2 51%). For subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, which included 11 cross-sectional studies and 24,820 adults, the pooled OR was 1.44 (95% CIs 1.15, 1.79; I2 88%). (4) Conclusions: The highest serum phosphate concentrations were positively associated with a 44% increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Torrijo-Belanche
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.T.-B.); (A.M.-C.)
| | - Belén Moreno-Franco
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.T.-B.); (A.M.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (N.C.-G.); (J.A.C.)
- CIBERCV (CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainara Muñoz-Cabrejas
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.T.-B.); (A.M.-C.)
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (N.C.-G.); (J.A.C.)
| | - Naiara Calvo-Galiano
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (N.C.-G.); (J.A.C.)
- Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - José Antonio Casasnovas
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (N.C.-G.); (J.A.C.)
- CIBERCV (CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Psychiatry and Dermatology, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carmen Sayón-Orea
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra-IDISNA, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- CIBERobn (CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Guallar-Castillón
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- CIBERESP (CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- IMDEA-Food Institute, CEI UAM + CSIC, Carretera de Cantoblanco 8, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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Nier A, Ulrich C, Volk C, Wolffgang MC, Brandsch C, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Girndt M, Stangl GI. Effects of a single phosphate-enriched test meal on inflammasome activity and postprandial inflammatory markers in healthy subjects. Eur J Nutr 2024; 63:797-807. [PMID: 38175251 PMCID: PMC10948537 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03306-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The consumption of highly processed food is often associated with a high intake of inorganic phosphate. Hyperphosphatemia is accompanied by an inflammatory status in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the immune response to high phosphorus intake in healthy individuals is largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single phosphate-enriched meal on inflammasome activity and plasma levels of inflammatory markers. METHODS The analysis included 28 participants who received a single dose of either 700 mg phosphorus or a placebo with a test meal. At baseline, 4 and 8 h post-meal, plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, c-reactive protein (CRP), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and glycoprotein 130 (sgp130) levels were determined. At baseline and 4 h post-meal, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated to assess inflammasome activity. Subsequently, the effect of phosphate with or without glucose on IL-6 and IL-1β gene expression and secretion in U937 monocytes was examined. RESULTS While both groups showed a marked postprandial increase in IL-6 plasma levels, neither plasma levels of IL-6, IL-1β, CRP, IL-10, sIL-6R, and sgp130 nor inflammasome activity were affected by phosphate compared to placebo. In U937 cells, there was also no effect of phosphate on IL-6 expression, but the addition of glucose increased it. Phosphate, however, reduced the IL-1β secretion of these cells. CONCLUSION Postprandial inflammatory markers were not affected by dietary phosphate. However, IL-6 plasma levels were markedly increased post-meal, which appears to be a metabolic rather than a pro-inflammatory phenomenon. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03771924, date of registration: 11th December 2018, retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Nier
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
| | - Christof Ulrich
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Christin Volk
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Competence Cluster of Cardiovascular Health and Nutrition (nutriCARD), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Corinna Brandsch
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Monika Wensch-Dorendorf
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias Girndt
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Gabriele I Stangl
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
- Competence Cluster of Cardiovascular Health and Nutrition (nutriCARD), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
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3
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Ito N, Hidaka N, Kato H. The pathophysiology of hypophosphatemia. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 38:101851. [PMID: 38087658 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
After identification of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 as the pivotal regulator of chronic serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels, the etiology of disorders causing hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia has been clarified, and measurement of intact FGF23 serves as a potent tool for differential diagnosis of chronic hypophosphatemia. Additionally, measurement of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) is recommended to differentiate acute and subacute hypophosphatemia from chronic hypophosphatemia. This article divides the etiology of chronic hypophosphatemia into 4 groups: A. FGF23 related, B. primary tubular dysfunction, C. disturbance of vitamin D metabolism, and D. parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) mediated. Each group is further divided into its inherited form and acquired form. Topics for each group are described, including "ectopic FGF23 syndrome," "alcohol consumption-induced FGF23-related hypophosphatemia," "anti-mitochondrial antibody associated hypophosphatemia," and "vitamin D-dependent rickets type 3." Finally, a flowchart for differential diagnosis of chronic hypophosphatemia is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Ito
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Osteoporosis Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Naoko Hidaka
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Osteoporosis Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hajime Kato
- Division of Nephrology and Endocrinology, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; Osteoporosis Center, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
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Calvo MS, Dunford EK, Uribarri J. Industrial Use of Phosphate Food Additives: A Mechanism Linking Ultra-Processed Food Intake to Cardiorenal Disease Risk? Nutrients 2023; 15:3510. [PMID: 37630701 PMCID: PMC10459924 DOI: 10.3390/nu15163510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) keeps rising, and at the same time, an increasing number of epidemiological studies are linking high rates of consumption of UPF with serious health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, in the general population. Many potential mechanisms, either in isolation or in combination, can explain the negative effects of UPF. In this review, we have addressed the potential role of inorganic phosphate additives, commonly added to a wide variety of foods, as factors contributing to the negative effects of UPF on cardiorenal disease. Inorganic phosphates are rapidly and efficiently absorbed, and elevated serum phosphate can lead to negative cardiorenal effects, either directly through tissue/vessel calcification or indirectly through the release of mineral-regulating hormones, parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor-23. An association between serum phosphate and cardiovascular and bone disease among patients with chronic kidney disease is well-accepted by nephrologists. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between serum phosphate and dietary phosphate intake and mortality, even in the general American population. The magnitude of the role of inorganic phosphate additives in these associations remains to be determined, and the initial step should be to determine precise estimates of population exposure to inorganic phosphate additives in the food supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona S. Calvo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Elizabeth K. Dunford
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia;
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings Global School of Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jaime Uribarri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
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Turner ME, Paynter AS, White CA, Mazzetti T, Ward EC, Norman PA, Munroe J, Adams MA, Holden RM. Sex Differences in Phosphate Homeostasis: Females Excrete More Phosphate and Calcium After an Oral Phosphate Challenge. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:909-919. [PMID: 36268820 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Dietary consumption of phosphate is increasing, and elevated serum phosphate is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Sex differences in phosphate homeostasis and response to changes in dietary phosphate intake, which are not captured by clinically measured analytes, may contribute to differences in CVD presentation and bone disease. OBJECTIVE To assess sex differences in acute phosphate homeostasis in response to a single oral phosphate challenge. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING General community. PARTICIPANTS 78 participants (40-76 years) with measured glomerular filtration rate >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and no clinically diagnosed CVD and 14 young healthy adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To elucidate subtle alterations in phosphate homeostasis, we employ an acute challenge whereby the hormonal response, circulating mineral levels, and urinary excretion are assessed following an oral challenge of phosphate. RESULTS Although both males and females had similar changes in circulating phosphate, calcium, and parathyroid hormone in response to the challenge, females excreted ∼1.9x more phosphate and ∼2.7x more calcium than males, despite not consuming calcium. These sex differences were recapitulated in healthy young adults. This excretion response did not correlate to age, serum phosphate, or estradiol levels. The females with greater excretion of phosphate had higher levels of bone resorption markers compared to formation markers. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data identify sex differences in acute phosphate homeostasis, specifically that females may mobilize and excrete endogenous sources of calcium and phosphate in response to oral phosphate compared to males. While high levels of dietary phosphate negatively impact bone, our results suggest that females may incur more risk from these diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy E Turner
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
| | - Amanda S Paynter
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
| | - Christine A White
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Tom Mazzetti
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Emilie C Ward
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
| | - Patrick A Norman
- KGH Research Institute, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON K7L2V7, Canada
| | - Jenny Munroe
- Clinical Nutrition, Kingston Health Sciences Center, Kingston, ON K7L 2V7, Canada
| | - Michael A Adams
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
| | - Rachel M Holden
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L3N6, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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6
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Portales-Castillo I, Rieg T, Khalid SB, Nigwekar SU, Neyra JA. Physiopathology of Phosphate Disorders. ADVANCES IN KIDNEY DISEASE AND HEALTH 2023; 30:177-188. [PMID: 36868732 PMCID: PMC10565570 DOI: 10.1053/j.akdh.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular phosphate is critical for cellular processes such as signaling, nucleic acid synthesis, and membrane function. Extracellular phosphate (Pi) is an important component of the skeleton. Normal levels of serum phosphate are maintained by the coordinated actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor-23, which intersect in the proximal tubule to control the reabsorption of phosphate via the sodium-phosphate cotransporters Npt2a and Npt2c. Furthermore, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 participates in the regulation of dietary phosphate absorption in the small intestine. Clinical manifestations associated with abnormal serum phosphate levels are common and occur as a result of genetic or acquired conditions affecting phosphate homeostasis. For example, chronic hypophosphatemia leads to osteomalacia in adults and rickets in children. Acute severe hypophosphatemia can affect multiple organs leading to rhabdomyolysis, respiratory dysfunction, and hemolysis. Patients with impaired kidney function, such as those with advanced CKD, have high prevalence of hyperphosphatemia, with approximately two-thirds of patients on chronic hemodialysis in the United States having serum phosphate levels above the recommended goal of 5.5 mg/dL, a cutoff associated with excess risk of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, patients with advanced kidney disease and hyperphosphatemia (>6.5 mg/dL) have almost one-third excess risk of death than those with phosphate levels between 2.4 and 6.5 mg/dL. Given the complex mechanisms that regulate phosphate levels, the interventions to treat the various diseases associated with hypophosphatemia or hyperphosphatemia rely on the understanding of the underlying pathobiological mechanisms governing each patient condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Portales-Castillo
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Timo Rieg
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL; James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL; Center for Hypertension and Kidney Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Sheikh B Khalid
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Indus Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
| | - Sagar U Nigwekar
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Javier A Neyra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
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7
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Tiong MK, Cai MMX, Toussaint ND, Tan SJ, Pasch A, Smith ER. Effect of nutritional calcium and phosphate loading on calciprotein particle kinetics in adults with normal and impaired kidney function. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7358. [PMID: 35513558 PMCID: PMC9072391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11065-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma approaches metastability with respect to its calcium and phosphate content, with only minor perturbations in ionic activity needed to sustain crystal growth once nucleated. Physiologically, calcium and phosphate are intermittently absorbed from the diet each day, yet plasma concentrations of these ions deviate minimally post-prandially. This implies the existence of a blood-borne mineral buffer system to sequester calcium phosphates and minimise the risk of deposition in the soft tissues. Calciprotein particles (CPP), endogenous mineral-protein colloids containing the plasma protein fetuin-A, may fulfill this function but definitive evidence linking dietary mineral loading with their formation is lacking. Here we demonstrate that CPP are formed as a normal physiological response to feeding in healthy adults and that this occurs despite minimal change in conventional serum mineral markers. Further, in individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), in whom mineral handling is impaired, we show that both fasting and post-prandial levels of CPP precursors are markedly augmented and strongly inversely correlated with kidney function. This study highlights the important, but often neglected, contribution of colloidal biochemistry to mineral homeostasis and provides novel insight into the dysregulation of mineral metabolism in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark K Tiong
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Medicine (RMH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Michael M X Cai
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Nigel D Toussaint
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medicine (RMH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sven-Jean Tan
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Medicine (RMH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Andreas Pasch
- Calciscon AG, Biel, Switzerland.,Lindenhofspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Johannes Kepler University, Linz, Austria
| | - Edward R Smith
- Department of Nephrology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Department of Medicine (RMH), University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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8
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Zavatta G, Altieri P, Vandi G, Vicennati V, Pagotto U, Vescini F. Phosphate Metabolism and Pathophysiology in Parathyroid Disorders and Endocrine Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312975. [PMID: 34884774 PMCID: PMC8657508 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of new insights into phosphate metabolism must urge the endocrinologist to rethink the pathophysiology of widespread disorders, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, and also of rarer endocrine metabolic bone diseases, such as hypoparathyroidism and tumor-induced hypophosphatemia. These rare diseases of mineral metabolism have been and will be a precious source of new information about phosphate and other minerals in the coming years. The parathyroid glands, the kidneys, and the intestine are the main organs affecting phosphate levels in the blood and urine. Parathyroid disorders, renal tubule defects, or phosphatonin-producing tumors might be unveiled from alterations of such a simple and inexpensive mineral as serum phosphate. This review will present all these disorders from a ‘phosphate perspective’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Zavatta
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.Z.); (P.A.); (G.V.); (V.V.); (U.P.)
| | - Paola Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.Z.); (P.A.); (G.V.); (V.V.); (U.P.)
| | - Giulia Vandi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.Z.); (P.A.); (G.V.); (V.V.); (U.P.)
| | - Valentina Vicennati
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.Z.); (P.A.); (G.V.); (V.V.); (U.P.)
| | - Uberto Pagotto
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes Prevention and Care, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.Z.); (P.A.); (G.V.); (V.V.); (U.P.)
| | - Fabio Vescini
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit, University Hospital Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy
- Correspondence:
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