The effect of lanthanum carbonate on calciprotein particles in hemodialysis patients

Background Aggregation of solid-phase calcium-phosphate and fetuin-A form nanoparticles called calciprotein particles (CPP). Serum CPP levels are increased in CKD patients and correlated with vascular stiffness and calcification. In this study, we evaluated effects of lanthanum carbonate (LC) and calcium carbonate (CC) on serum CPP levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods Twenty-four (24) HD patients (50% men, age; 68 +/- 12 years, dialysis period; 6.2 +/- 4.8 years, Kt/v; 1.74 +/- 0.34) were treated with CC during 0-8 weeks and then switched to LC during 9-16 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 8, 16 weeks. Serum CPP levels (TCPP) were measured by the gel-filtration method. Low-density CPP (LCPP) levels were determined by centrifuging the serum samples at 16,000 g for 2 h and measuring CPP levels in the supernatant. The difference between TCPP and LCPP was defined as the high-density CPP (HCPP) level. We evaluated association of TCPP, LCPP, and HCPP with serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), intact PTH, FGF23, Klotho, fetuin-A, aortic calcification index (ACI), LDL cholesterol, and hs-CRP. Results TCPP and LCPP levels were significantly decreased after switching CC to LC, whereas Ca and P levels were not changed. HCPP levels were below the lower limit quantification in all patients. The changes in P, Ca x P, LDL cholesterol, but not ACI and the changes in hs-CRP, were correlated with the change in TCPP levels. Conclusion The TCPP levels were significantly decreased after switching CC to LC. Non-calcium-containing phosphate binders may be preferable for lowering CPP levels.