Intermedin1-53 ameliorates homocysteine-promoted atherosclerotic calcification by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress

Background and Aims: Vascular calcification (VC) is thought to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Intermedin1-53 (IMD) is a cardiovascular-protective peptide, and can inhibit vascular medial calcification in rats. In this study, we investigated the effect of IMD on atherosclerotic calcification induced by a high fat diet plus homocysteine (Hcy) and the potential mechanisms.