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.
Doorenbos
Carolina R C
CR
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
van den Born
Jacob
J
Navis
Gerjan
G
de Borst
Martin H
MH
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