Phytate inhibits bovine pericardium calcification in vitro

Objective: The present study examined the inhibitory effects of pyrophosphate, etidronate, and phytate on bovine pericardium calcification in vitro. Methods: Bovine pericardium was glutaraldehyde fixed and then placed in a flow chamber in the presence of a synthetic physiological fluid alone (control) or the fluid plus various concentrations of pyrophosphate, etidronate, or phytate. Following a 96-h incubation, fragments were removed and assayed for calcification by measuring calcium and phosphorus levels. Results: The data indicated that both pyrophosphate and etidronate at 1mg/l (5.75 and 4.95 mu M, respectively) inhibited bovine pericardium calcification, whereas neither agent had an effect at 0.5 mg/l (2.87 and 2.47 mu M, respectively). Phytate was the most potent inhibitor of calcification, and the effects of this agent were apparent at levels as low as 0.25 mg/l (0.39 mu M). Conclusions: While pyrophosphate, etidronate, and phytate were all able to the most effective. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.