Hormonal regulation of vascular calcification

Recent evidence suggests that vascular calcification is a controlled process and involves the altered differentiation of mesenchymal cells. For example, vitamin D(3) was reported to enhance vascular calcification by suppressing PTHrP action that is an inhibitor of calcification. Quite recently, leptin has been shown to enhance the osteoblastic differentiation of stromal cells and calcification of vascular cells. These results suggest the intimate relationship between bone and lipid or adipose tissue.