title: Role of vitamin d receptor activators in cardio-renal syndromes.
abstract: The involvement of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is attracting great interest. In patients with chronic kidney disease this association is stronger because vitamin D levels decrease as a result of renal progressive impairment. In chronic kidney disease secondary hyperparathyroidism commonly occurs in response to persistent hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia; moreover, parathyroid gland volume increases, vascular calcification is accelerated, and structural and functional modifications of the left ventricle are observed. These alterations entail both cardiac and renal involvement, resulting in cardio-renal syndrome. Recent studies concluded that vitamin D administration seems to have cardioprotective and renoprotective effects and improve peripheral vascular disease, vascular calcification, cardiac outcome, and blood pressure control. In clinical practice, therefore, the use of this hormone may play an important role in cardio-renal syndrome prevention.
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria, University of Milan School of Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy. mario.cozzolino@unimi.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruschetta
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stucchi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ronco
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cusi
mesh_terms: D059347:Cardio-Renal Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D054559:Hyperphosphatemia / Q000378:metabolism; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000187:drug effects; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000517:prevention & control; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D; C084656:paricalcitol