How liver failure, fibrosis, and low inorganic pyrophosphate contribute to artery calcification in people awaiting liver transplant

Roles of Hepatic Insufficiency, Hepatic Fibrosis, and Inorganic Pyrophosphate in the Progression of Arterial Calcifications

NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · NCT07201649

This study tests whether liver transplantation in people with chronic liver disease restores blood inorganic pyrophosphate and slows or stops arterial calcification.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment95 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice (other)
Locations1 site (Nice, Alpes-maritimes)
Trial IDNCT07201649 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional study enrolls people who require liver transplantation for chronic liver disease and collects blood and urine samples around the time of transplant. Investigators will measure plasma inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) levels and monitor markers of arterial calcification before and after transplantation to determine whether PPi is restored and calcification progression is altered. Patients with very high short-term mortality risk (MELD >25) or active viral replication are excluded. The design uses transplant as a physiologic intervention to link hepatic function, PPi metabolism, and vascular calcification.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults listed for liver transplantation for chronic liver disease who do not have active viral replication and have MELD scores ≤25.

Not a fit: People with MELD scores above 25, ongoing viral replication, or who are not transplant candidates are not eligible and unlikely to benefit from the transplant-related PPi restoration tested here.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, restoring liver function with transplant could normalize PPi levels and reduce future cardiovascular risk by preventing further arterial calcification.

How similar studies have performed: Previous observational work has found low PPi in cirrhosis and links between PPi deficiency and vascular calcification, but using liver transplantation to reverse PPi loss and halt arterial calcification is a novel and largely untested approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* everyone requiring liver transplantation for the treatment of a chronic liver disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* MELD score \>25, viral replication

Where this trial is running

Nice, Alpes-maritimes

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Liver Cirrhosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.