Thermodynamic and experimental modeling of the formation of the mineral phase of calcification

Abstract

Abstract Vascular calcification is the process of calcium salt precipitation in vessel walls. In-depth understanding of the mechanisms of crystallization of calcifications in blood vessels is crucial for developing effective protective therapy. Calcification processes reduce the life span of implanted heart valves. The purpose of this paper is a comprehensive study of calcification processes. We calculated the solubility diagrams of the basic poorly soluble compounds formed in the prototype human plasma, performed laboratory modeling of crystallization of calcification mineral phases under conditions typical of human blood plasma solution (ionic composition, pH), and verified the obtained theoretical and experimental modeling results for adequacy to pathogenic phase formation from human blood plasma solution. The paper presents the results of the thermodynamic calculation of the formation of calcification mineral phases and experimental results of phase formation under conditions typical of the human blood plasma prototype. The laboratory tests showed that dopants of the biological solution (magnesium ions and glutamic acid) affect phase composition and solubility of the samples. The bioactivity of synthetic samples was studied in solutions of different composition and in Verapamil. The results indicate that the model studies of the crystallization of pathogenic formations in the cardiovascular system performed to identify the mechanisms that control their genesis are significant and will provide timely diagnosis of calcification and development of new approaches in cardiology aimed to reduce the incidence of these diseases. Statement of significance The processes of crystallization of organo-mineral associations (OMA) that are part of the physiogenetic (bone, teeth) and pathogenic minerals (urinary, dental, calcifications etc.) are currently one of the crucial study areas. These studies are of essential interest since pathogenic OMA are primarily considered to be human diseases, for example, arteriosclerosis, which is associated with precipitation of calcium salts in blood vessels. It is the second most common disease after atherosclerosis among all lesions of arterial vessels. It should be noted that the percentage of calcification in blood vessels, heart valves and operating stents has increased in recent years. Vascular calcification is a complex process that involves a number of mechanisms responsible for the precipitation of calcium salts in vessel walls. As a result, arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity increase, which in turn increases the rate of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The study and in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of calcification crystallization in blood vessels can be crucial for developing effective protective therapy.