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Renal function during calcitriol therapy in chronic renal failure
M Bertoli1, G Luisetto, A Ruffatti
1Department of Nephrology, Medica University-Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Clinical Nephrology
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Vitamin D therapy (calcitriol) may increase serum creatinine levels due to improved muscle function in renal patients. However, actual kidney filtration (inulin clearance) remains stable, with creatinine returning to normal after treatment cessation.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Vitamin D supplementation is common in chronic kidney disease.
- Some studies suggest vitamin D may impair renal function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of calcitriol on renal function in patients with stable kidney disease.
- To determine if observed changes in serum creatinine reflect true changes in glomerular filtration rate.
Main Methods:
- 10 patients with stable renal function received calcitriol (0.5 mcg/day) for 4 months.
- Creatinine and inulin clearance were measured pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Serum creatinine increased, and creatinine clearance decreased during calcitriol treatment.
- Inulin clearance showed no significant changes, indicating stable glomerular filtration.
- Serum creatinine normalized within 60 days after discontinuing calcitriol.
Conclusions:
- The rise in serum creatinine during calcitriol therapy is likely due to increased release from muscle tissue.
- Improved uremic myopathy from calcitriol may explain the elevated serum creatinine.
- Calcitriol therapy does not significantly impair kidney filtration in stable renal patients.