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Sevelamer hydrochloride is a non-absorbed calcium- and metal-free phosphate binder that lowers the serum phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients. Sevelamer contains multiple amines, which are partially protonated and interact with phosphate molecules through ionic and hydrogen bonding. We show the in vitro phosphate binding assay data and the efficacy of sevelamer to lower the serum phosphorus and calcium phosphorus product in several animal models. Furthermore, we indicate the vivid data that sevelamer prevented the ectopic calcification of aorta in adenine induced renal failure model, which represent severe hyperphosphatemia and the related dialysis complications.

Hyperphosphatemia is one of the major complications of hemodialysis patients and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular calcification and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Dietary phosphate restriction and removal of phosphate by dialysis are insufficient to control hyperphosphatemia. Therefore, almost all patients undergoing hemodialysis should take oral phosphate binders. Sevelamer hydrochloride (sevelamer) is a novel phosphate-binding polymer that contains neither aluminum nor calcium, and it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In rat models with progressive chronic renal insufficiency, in addition to lowering effects on serum levels of phosphorus, calcium x phosphorus product, and parathyroid hormone, dietary treatment of sevelamer can prevent parathyroid hyperplasia, vascular calcification, high turnover bone lesion, and renal functional deterioration. In clinical studies with hemodialysis patients, sevelamer lowers serum phosphorus and calcium x phosphorus product without any incidence of hypercalcemia. Switching calcium-containing phosphate binders to sevelamer can decrease the percentage of hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism by negative calcium balance and increased dosage of vitamin D, respectively. Sevelamer also decreases serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by its bile acid-binding capacity. A long-term clinical study has demonstrated that the progression of coronary and aortic calcification in hemodialysis patients is attenuated by sevelamer. Thus, sevelamer offers the promise of impacting cardiac calcification and thereby reducing morbidity and mortality of hemodialysis patients.