title: Vitamin D receptor polymorphism in chronic kidney disease patients with complicated cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Several studies indicate a relationship between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. Pleiotropic actions of vitamin D and its analogs are mediated by vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDRs have been identified in almost all tissues, including vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, and endothelial cells. The FokI and BsmI polymorphisms of the VDR gene are regarded as strong markers of disturbed vitamin D signaling pathway. Studies investigating the relationship between VDR genotypes and left ventricular hypertrophy revealed a highly significant association with the BsmI Bb heterozygous genotype. There are conflicting data on the action of vitamin D in left ventricular hypertrophy. Experimental as well as observational studies and small clinical trials have suggested that vitamin D administration may favorably influence left ventricular hypertrophy, whereas large randomized clinical trials have shown negative results. However, a beneficial effect on the left atrial volume index and the duration of hospitalization were observed in patients treated with vitamin D analogs. Larger clinical trials with robust clinical end points are needed to confirm that vitamin D is effective in preventing cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease patients and in general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: santisi@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gagliostro
authors.affiliation: Department of Economical, Business and Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Methods, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alibrandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benvenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ientile
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellinghieri
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caccamo
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol