Method of reversing, preventing, delaying or stabilizing soft tissue calcification

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of treating soft tissue calcification in a subject, comprising a step of administering to said subject an effective amount of ferric organic compound, such as ferric citrate. The claimed methods may prevent, reverse, delay or stabilize soft tissue calcification in a subject having chronic kidney disease. Affected soft tissue calcification includes soft tissue calcification in the joint, skin, eye, in cardiovascular system such as heart valve, myocardium, coronary arteries and arteriole, or in internal organs such as kidney and lung.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating soft tissue calcification in a subject, comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of a ferric organic compound. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human or an animal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is having chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is undergoing renal dialysis or renal transplantation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein soft tissue calcification in the subject is reversed, delayed, stabilized, or prevented. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the soft tissue is tissue in joint, skin, eye, heart valve, myocardium, coronary arteries or arterioles, kidney, or lung. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ferric organic compound is in a form suitable for oral administration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the form suitable for oral administration is a tablet, a powder, a suspension, an emulsion, a capsule, a lozenge, a granule, a troche, a pill, a liquid, a spirit, or a syrup. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ferric organic compound is ferric citrate.