Pyrophosphate and diphosphonates produce striking results on calcium metabolism in experimental animals and man. Compounds containing P-O-P- bonds (e.g. inorganic pyrophosphate [PP-ii1 or P-C-P bonds (diphosponates) inhibit both the formation and dissolution of calcium phosphate crystals in vitro. PP-i may have a physiological function in regulating calcification and bone turnover, and obnormalities in its metabolism may occur in some human diseases notably hypophosphatasia and pseudogout. Di...