Dipyridamole decreases renal phosphate leak and augments serum phosphorus in patients with low renal phosphate threshold

It has been shown that an acute infusion of dipyridamole increased renal phosphate reabsorption in rats and humans. A prospective study was performed to determine whether chronic treatment by dipyridamole given orally could decrease renal phosphate leak and increase serum phosphorus in patients with idiopathic low renal phosphate threshold (TmPO4/GFR < 0.77 mM). Sixty-four patients with low TmPO4/GFR were included and treated with dipyridamole (75 mg, 4 times daily) for more than 12 mo. Serum phosphorus, TmPO4/GFR, parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were measured sequentially before treatment, and after 3, 6 to 9, and 12 mo of treatment. Under chronic treatment with dipyridamole, TmPO4/GFR and serum phosphorus significantly increased in 80% of patients within 3 mo, with maximal values reached within 9 mo. This improvement persisted after 12 mo of treatment. In 28 patients, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations were above the normal range (> 42 pg/ml) and normalized in parallel with the increase of serum phosphorus. The 24-h calcium excretion (which was initially increased in patients with high vitamin D concentrations) and urolithiasis decreased under treatment. Ionized serum calcium and parathyroid hormone remained unchanged. After 2 yr, treatment was discontinued in three patients; serum phosphorus and TmPO4/GFR decreased within 1 mo after discontinuation. Dipyridamole at a dose of 75 mg 4 times daily increases low TmPO4/GFR and improves hypophosphatemia in patients with renal phosphate losses and can be used to treat these patients.