A new role for vitamin D receptor activation in chronic kidney disease

Valdivielso JM, Cannata-Andia J, Coll B, Fernandez E. A new role for vitamin D receptor activation in chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 297: F1502-F1509, 2009. First published July 22, 2009; doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00130.2009.-Vitamin D has proven to be much more than a simple "calcium hormone." The fact that the vitamin D receptor has been found in cells not related to mineral metabolism supports that statement. The interest of nephrologists in vitamin D and its effects beyond mineral metabolism has increased over the last few years, evidencing the importance of this so-called "sunshine hormone." In the present review, we highlight the most recent developments in the traditional use of vitamin D in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, namely, the control of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). Furthermore, we also explore the data available regarding the new possible therapeutic uses of vitamin D for the treatment of other complications present in CKD patients, such as vascular calcification, left ventricular hypertrophy, or proteinuria. Finally, some still scarce but very promising data regarding a possible role of vitamin D in kidney transplant patients also are reviewed. The available data point to a potential beneficial effect of vitamin D in CKD patients beyond the control of mineral metabolism.