Original Article High-calcium vs high-phosphate intake and small artery tone in advanced experimental renal insufficiency

Background. Disturbed calcium–phosphorus balance significantly contributes to uraemic changes in large arteries. We examined the influences of high-calcium and high-phosphate intake on small artery tone in experimental renal insufficiency. Methods. Sixty-five rats were assigned to 5/6 nephrec-tomy (NTX) or sham operation. After 15week disease progression, NTX rats were given high-calcium (3%), high-phosphate (1.5%) or control diet (0.3 % calcium, 0.5 % phosphate) for 12 weeks. Then isolated segments of small mesenteric arteries were studied using wire and pressure myographs. Results. Subtotal nephrectomy reduced creatinine clearance by 60 % and increased parathyroid hormon