Figure 8. Schematic diagram of SFA-dependent vascular calcification.

Increased SFAs through SCD inhibition leads to the accumulation of fully saturated PAs in the ER via de novo glycerolipid synthesis. The accumulation of fully saturated PAs induces ER stress responses such as ATF4-mediated osteogenesis and CHOP-mediated apoptosis, leading to vascular calcification. UFAs, however, competitively inhibit the formation of fully saturated PAs on the reaction of GPAT4, AGPAT3, and AGPAT5. Pi; inorganic phosphate; 1,2(OH)₂D, calcitriol; G-3-P, Glycerol-3-phosphate.