Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients often complicate with vascular calcification, which threatens cardiovascular health and long-term prognosis. Recent research has shown that aldosterone potentially functions as a pivotal driver in vascular calcification. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone, regulating fluid and electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Aldosterone is often elevated in CKD. Aldosterone binds mineralocorticoid receptors on vascular smooth-muscle cells to trigger an osteogenic phenotypic switch that fosters vascular calcification. In addition, aldosterone may indirectly amplify vascular calcification by enhancing inflammation and oxidative stress. A positive correlation between serum aldosterone level and vascular calcification severity in CKD has been reported by several clinical studies, but other studies could not confirm the correlation, representing the heterogeneity of the investigations. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms by which aldosterone promotes vascular calcification in CKD remain unknown. Here we summarize current evidences on the correlation between aldosterone and vascular calcification in CKD patients.

Key words: Aldosterone, Vascular calcification, Chronic kidney disease