Vitamin D metabolism and vitamin D traditional and nontraditional, target organs: implications for kidney patients
Abstract
Vitamin D plays an absolute essential role in human physiology. In general, VDR activation inhibits cell differentiation and proliferation while promoting cell maturation and it also participates in the regulation of apoptosis.
Calcidiol values between 30-60 ng/ml (70-150 nmol/l) are optimal. Low vitamin D status is associated with many pathological conditions.
Studies have described association with susceptibility to some infections; higher risk of autoimmune diseases, association with some malignancies and many other complications. In advanced CKD patients, several recent observational studies demonstrated survival benefits of selective VDR activation.
These drugs may, at least, partly cover the need for the systemic activation of VDR in kidney patients.