The development of the pathophysiological concept of calciphylaxis in experiment and clinic

An attempt to clarify some pathophysiological aspects of calciphylaxis from both experimental and clinical points of view is presented. Until now, we cannot explain precisely various forms of calcification, affecting either soft tissues or biomaterial as well, only on the basis of metastatic or dystrophic calcification including the pure topical, local aspects. Therefore, the biological phenomenon of calciphylaxis can be useful in searching the ways for the inhibition of soft tissues and biomaterial calcification. The experiments with experimental progeria have also made it possible to study the so-called reversed calciphylaxis. The systemic reversed calciphylaxis, or ‘anacalciphylaxis’ was shown in the authors experiments with the total artificial heart as a very effective factor in the inhibition of mineralization of the TAH driving diaphragms. The discovery of the ubiquitous organ regulator of calcification, osteopontin, can greatly contribute to further elucidation of the calciphylactic mechanisms in general, and also to the prevention of calcifying lesions. It is pointed to some clinical states, predominantly the end-stage renal disease with hemodialysation where many authors pay attention to calciphylaxis as a clinical entity in a series of such cases. Calciphylaxis has been described in dermatology, nephrology and other clinical disciplines. In the area of attempts to prevent the ectopic organ calcification and also mineralization of biomaterials, a vast field of stimulation of endogenic inhibitors of calcification remains open.