Vascular function and cholecalciferol supplementation in CKD: A self-controlled case series

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, contributing to mortality, particularly from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Previous research indicated vitamin D supplementation positively impacts vascular and endothelial function, and inflammatory markers in CKD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of a vitamin D (cholecalciferol) supplementation regimen on vascular function and inflammatory markers in vitamin D-deficient CKD patients who previously received a placebo.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial extension.
• Participants received two 300,000 IU oral doses of cholecalciferol eight weeks apart.
• Assessments at 16 weeks included flow-mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV), endothelial and inflammatory markers, and vitamin D metabolites.

Main Results:

• Cholecalciferol supplementation significantly increased serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D levels.
• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) showed a significant mean improvement of 5.8% (p < 0.001).
• Favorable changes were also observed in pulse wave velocity (PWV), iPTH, iFGF-23, and IL-6.

Conclusions:

• Correction of vitamin D deficiency through cholecalciferol supplementation demonstrates beneficial effects on vascular function in patients with non-diabetic stage 3-4 CKD.
• These findings reinforce the importance of addressing vitamin D deficiency to improve cardiovascular outcomes in CKD patients.