[Mechanism of vascular calcification].

Vascular calcification in dialysis patients is associated with morbidity and mortality risks. Recent evidence suggests that vascular calcification is an active process resembling osteogenesis and chondrogenesis process. In this process, hyperphosphatemia is one of the important regulators. Inorganic phosphates directly regulate vascular calcification in vitro through a sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter and promote expression of the osteoblastic differentiation markers.