title: Reprint of: Vitamin D receptor activation and prevention of arterial ageing.
abstract: In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality rate is higher than in the general population, because of frequently concomitant hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, vascular calcification (VC), diabetes and mineral bone disease. Recently, another important factor associated to CV risk in CKD has been deeply investigated: vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D Receptors (VDRs) are present in several systems and tissues and VDR activation is associated to positive effects, resulting in better blood pressure control and prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Unfortunately, the natural, non-selective vitamin D receptor activator (VDRA), calcitriol, is associated to higher serum calcium and phosphate levels, thus worsening CV risk in CKD. Recent data showed that the selective VDRA paricalcitol might have ameliorative CV effects. The potential positive impact of the use of paricalcitol on diabetic nephropathy, cardiac disease, hypertension, and VC may open new paths in the fight against CV disease in CKD patients.
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy. Electronic address: mario.cozzolino@unimi.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stucchi
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soldati
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cusi
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ciceri
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.affiliation: Renal Division, DMCO, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via A. di Rudinì 8, 20142 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Elli
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallieni