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 1 mg/l (5.75 and 4.95 μM, respectively) inhibited bovine pericardium calcification, whereas neither agent had an effect at 0.5 mg/l (2.87 and 2.47 μM, 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 μM). Conclusions While pyrophosphate, etidronate, and phytate were all able to inhibit bovine pericardium calcification in vitro, phytate was found to be the most effective.