Disturbance of inorganic phosphate metabolism in diabetes mellitus: temporary therapeutic intervention trials

Jørn Ditzel, Hans Henrik Lervang

Department of Endocrinology, and Center for Prevention of Struma and Metabolic Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aarhus University, Denmark

Abstract: A paradoxical metabolic imbalance in inorganic phosphate occurs from the early onset of diabetes and may lead to a reduction of high energy phosphates and tissue hypoxia. These changes take place in the cells and tissues in which the entry of glucose is not controlled by insulin, and particularly in poorly regulated diabetes patients in whom long-term vascular complications are more likely to occur. Several therapeutic intervention trials have been carried out, including assessment of optimal glucose regulation, the effect of dietary inclusion of calcium diphosphate and pharmaceutical intake of etidronate disodium (EHDP), but none of these modalities wholly overcome the problem. The potential therapeutic application of fructose-1, 6-diphosphate, however, which also acts as human bioenergy, holds a great deal of promise as an efficacious and well-tolerated therapeutic regimen.

Keywords: diabetes, inorganic phosphate metabolism, early intervention trials