Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate for vascular calcification: animal experiments and a meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background: The purpose of our study was to explore the effect of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP) on vascular calcification (VC) by animal experiments and a meta-analysis. Methods: In our animal experiments, the SD rats were randomly divided into control group, VC group, low-dose Zoledronic acid (ZOL) group (20ug/kg) and high-dose ZOL group (100ug/kg). The calcification of aortic arch was detected by alizarin red staining. The calcium content of aortic arch was detected. In our meta-analysis, databases including PubMed, EMbase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI , Wanfang database were searched from the inception to December 20th, 2023. Eligible studies comparing N-BP versus no N-BP in the treatment of VC were included. Results: In our animal experiment, compared with the VC group, the red-stained calcification structure in the low-dose ZOL group were slightly reduced, and the red-stained calcification structure in the high-dose ZOL group were significantly reduced. The calcium content in the low-dose ZOL group was slightly lower than that in the VC group, but there was no statistical difference(P > 0.05).The calcium content in the high-dose ZOL group was significantly lower than that in the VC group(P < 0.05). Our meta-analysis from human studies showed that N-BP did not reduce arterial calcification score(P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis from animal studies showed that N-BP did not reduce arterial calcification score significantly(P > 0.05), but N-BP reduce arterial calcification area, arterial calcium and PO4 content(P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our animal experiment revealed that high-dose ZOL inhibited VC, but low-dose ZOL did not inhibit VC significantly. Our meta-analysis from humans studies revealed that N-BP was not effective for the treatment of VC, but Our meta-analysis result from animal studies was inclined to supporting the role of N-BP in inhibiting VC.