RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRON, CALCIUM AND PHOSPHATE DURING EXPERIMENTAL CUTANEOUS CALCINOSIS

Calcification of the skin (calciphylaxis) induced by the subcutaneous administration of iron chloride to dihydrotachysterol (DHT)-sensitized rats is preceded by the selective deposition of iron (visible with electron microscopic techniques) on the surface of collagen fibrils. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis indicates that the injectionof iron alone suffices to increase local concentrations of calcium and phosphorus; however, apatite formation occurs only in animals pretreated with DHT. The amount and degree of crystallinity of the inorganic material is very similar on the sixth and thirtieth day after the beginning of the experiment. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.