Bisacylphosphonates inhibit hydroxyapatite formation and dissolution in vitro and dystrophic calcification in vivo.

Some geminal bisphosphonates are used clinically for a number of important bone/calcium related diseases; however, side effects and lack of selectivity impede their wide use. This work reports the synthesis and evaluation of bisacylphosphonates (e.g., adipoyl- and suberoylbisphosphonate). These compounds were found to inhibit significantly hydroxyapatite formation and dissolution in vitro and the calcification of bioprosthetic tissue implanted subdermally in rats. These are the first instances of nongeminal bisphosphonates [P-(C)n-P, n greater than or equal to 2] that have been reported to be active in calcium-related disorders. The reported bisacylphosphonates possess apparent lower toxicity, and their calcium complexes/salts have improved solubility properties. Therefore, they are of potential importance for clinical applications.