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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Vascular Function and Inflammation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A
1Department of Nephrology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Insights
Vitamin D supplementation did not improve vascular function or inflammation markers in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This systematic review found no significant benefits in flow-mediated dilation, pulse wave velocity, blood pressure, or CRP levels.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.
- This deficiency is linked to vascular dysfunction and inflammation.
- Previous studies on vitamin D supplementation in CKD patients yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the effects of vitamin D supplementation on vascular function and inflammation in CKD patients.
- To address the existing controversy regarding vitamin D's efficacy in this population.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases up to December 2018.
- Included were 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 579 CKD patients (313 vitamin D, 266 placebo).
- Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) was pooled using fixed and random effects models to assess outcomes.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed between vitamin D and placebo groups for flow-mediated dilatation (SMD, 0.94; P = 0.15).
- Pulse wave velocity (SMD, -0.13; P = 0.33), systolic BP (SMD, -0.04; P = 0.77), diastolic BP (SMD, 0.01; P = 0.97), and CRP (SMD, -0.09; P = 0.61) also showed no significant changes.
- Short-term vitamin D intervention did not improve measured vascular function or inflammation markers.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests short-term vitamin D supplementation does not benefit vascular function or inflammation in CKD patients.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the long-term effects or optimal use of vitamin D in CKD.
- Insufficient evidence exists to support vitamin D supplementation for improving vascular health and inflammation in CKD.
Abstract:
Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with CKD and is associated with vascular dysfunction and inflammation. In recent years, some randomized controlled trials have revealed the effect of vitamin D supplementation on vascular function and inflammation in CKD patients, but the results are inconsistent. Thus, in light of the controversy, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of vitamin D in patients with CKD. We searched the literature in multiple databases for clinical trials from the date of inception to December 2018. The standardized mean difference (SMD) effect size was pooled using fixed and random effects models. A total of 10 randomized controlled trials involving 579 patients were included in the meta-analysis; among these, 313 patients were treated with vitamin D, and the control group included 266 who received a placebo. This meta-analysis revealed no statistical significance in the levels of flow-mediated dilatation (SMD, 0.94; 95% CI, -0.33 to 2.21; P = 0.15); pulse wave velocity (SMD, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.38 to 0.13; P = 0.33); systolic BP (SMD, -0.04; 95% CI, -0.29 to 0.22; P = 0.77); diastolic BP (SMD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.26 to 0.27; P = 0.97); and CRP (SMD, -0.09; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.26; P = 0.61) between the vitamin D group and controls for patients with CKD. Short-term intervention with vitamin D was not associated with improvements in vascular function and inflammation, as measured by flow-mediated dilatation, pulse wave velocity, systolic BP, diastolic BP and CRP. This suggested that there is insufficient evidence to conclude the benefit of vitamin D supplementation on vascular function and inflammation in CKD patients.
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