title: The use of vitamin D analogues in chronic kidney diseases: possible mechanisms beyond bone and mineral metabolism.
abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and costly medical condition, and currently available therapeutic options remain unsatisfactory. Vitamin D analogues are widely used for the bone and mineral disorder associated with CKD. However, accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D analogues may have actions other than their effects on bone and mineral metabolism. In this article, we review the following aspects on the use of vitamin D analogues for the treatment of CKD: (1) epidemiological studies showing that patients with late-stage CKD have better survival than untreated patients; (2) animal studies showing that vitamin D analogues may retard the progression of CKD; (3) human studies on the anti-proteinuric and possibly renal protecting effects of vitamin D analogues in CKD and (4) the potential mechanisms of its therapeutic benefit. Nonetheless, definitive proof of the clinical benefits by randomized control trial would be necessary before one could advocate the routine use of vitamin D analogues for the treatment of CKD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics , Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , China.
authors.forename: Cheuk-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Szeto
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Therapeutics , Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong , Shatin, Hong Kong , China.
authors.forename: Philip Kam-Tao
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: calcitriol; cardiovascular disease; paricalcitol; proteinuria; renal failure