Sevelamer Hydrochloride and Calcium Bicarbonate Reduce Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Levels in Dialysis Patients

: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor superfamily which displays a strong phosphaturic action and an inhibition of vitamin D 1‐α hydroxylase activity. Fourty‐six patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis therapy participated in the study. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, and treated with either 3 g sevelamer hydrochloride + 3 g of calcium bicarbonate (CaCO3), or 3 g of CaCO3 alone. Serum FGF23 levels were determined by a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that detects the intact form of FGF23 molecules. Although the serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels were comparable before treatment, the levels were significantly lower in the patients treated with sevelamer hydrochloride + CaCO3 than those with CaCO3 alone after 4 weeks of treatment (P