title: Vitamin D metabolism and activity as well as genetic variants of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in chronic kidney disease patients.
abstract: For a long time, the role of vitamin D in chronic kidney disease (CKD) received less attention than treating vitamin D metabolism disorders. Low active vitamin D levels represent one of the most important factors in the pathophysiology of secondary hyperparathyroidism. For this reason, the administration of active vitamin D compounds is commenced during the course of CKD treatment. Moreover, patients with CKD exhibit a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) unrelated to vitamin D intake. However, several studies have recently advanced our knowledge about the effects of both the 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D forms of endogenous vitamin D and the possible beneficial effects of vitamin D treatment. These studies add to the already well-known effects of vitamin D on mineral metabolism. Several studies have hypothesized a link between reduced levels of 25-OH D and a greater cardiovascular risk in the general population. Another important aspect of vitamin D metabolism is the existence of polymorphic genetic variants of the vitamin D receptors (VDRs). Most studies have aimed to determine whether VDR polymorphisms are involved in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT).
authors.affiliation: Units of Nephrology and Dialysis, Clinical Experimental Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. santisi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caccamo
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gagliostro
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ientile
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benvenga
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellinghieri
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Savica
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D