[The pleiotropic effects of vitamin D on kidney disease].
Vitamin D is well known to play major roles in maintenance of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Recently, the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D are highlighted. Namely, vitamin D regulates cell proliferation and differentiation, modulates immune system, and is involved in several endocrine systems. In addition, it has been reported that vitamin D itself may have renoprotective function. Although the effects of vitamin D such as down-regulation of renin-angiotensin system, anti-proliferation, pro-differentiation, and immunomodulation have been reported, the mechanism of the renoprotective function remains unclear. Further studies are needed and clinical applications of the pleiotropic effects of vitamin D are expected.
Hamada
Yasuhiro
Y
Kobe University School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Kidney Center, Japan.
Fukagawa
Masafumi
M
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology*
D014807:Vitamin D