The nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside inhibits mineralization in ATDC5 cells.

The aim of this study was to test whether the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has an effect on mineralization in ATDC5 cells. Mineralization in ATDC5 cell culture was induced by addition of β-glycerophosphate or inorganic phosphate, visualized by staining precipitated calcium with an alizarin red stain, and quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry. SNP was shown to inhibit the mineralization of ADTC5 cells. This inhibition was not affected by inhibitors of guanylyl cyclase nor mimicked by a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analog. Furthermore, SNP did not inhibit phosphate uptake or inhibit apoptosis in ATDC5 cells. These findings indicate that SNP can specifically inhibit matrix mineralization via a cGMP-independent pathway and that the effect is not mediated by inhibition of phosphate transport or apoptosis. These results suggest a preventive role of NO in premature or pathological mineralization.