Possible renoprotection by vitamin D in chronic renal disease: beyond mineral metabolism.
Vitamin D is typically viewed as a key player in the regulation of calcium and phosphate levels and the control of bone metabolism; however, growing evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may also have an important role in the progressive loss of renal function. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease, in whom it is associated with increased mortality. Studies indicate that treatment with vitamin D analogues reduces proteinuria, suppresses the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. These pleiotropic effects render vitamin D a potentially interesting treatment modality for renoprotection in patients with chronic kidney disease. Whether vitamin D has clinically relevant renoprotective effects in addition to RAAS blockade is currently under investigation.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Carolina R C
CR
Doorenbos
Jacob
J
van den Born
Gerjan
G
Navis
Martin H
MH
de Borst
D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*
D008903:Minerals; D014807:Vitamin D