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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Vitamin D: A Bridge between Kidney and Heart
Carmine Secondulfo1, Valeria Visco1, Nicola Virtuoso2
1Department "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.
Insights
Vitamin D plays a key role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review explores vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Nephrology and Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are leading causes of mortality.
- Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are shared risk factors for CKD and CVD.
- Complex pathophysiological interactions link CKD and CVD beyond shared risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of vitamin D in CKD.
- To examine vitamin D's influence on CVD.
- To explore the connection between vitamin D, CKD, and CVD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific articles.
- Analysis of studies investigating vitamin D's physiological actions.
- Synthesis of evidence on vitamin D's impact on CKD and CVD pathways.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D influences diverse physiological pathways relevant to both CKD and CVD.
- Emerging evidence highlights a significant connection between vitamin D status and the progression of CKD and CVD.
- Vitamin D's role extends beyond bone health, impacting cardiovascular and renal systems.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D is a crucial factor in the interplay between CKD and CVD.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate vitamin D's therapeutic potential in managing these conditions.
- Understanding vitamin D's actions may offer novel strategies for preventing and treating CKD and CVD.
Abstract:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are highly prevalent conditions, each significantly contributing to the global burden of morbidity and mortality. CVD and CKD share a great number of common risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking, among others. Their relationship extends beyond these factors, encompassing intricate interplay between the two systems. Within this complex network of pathophysiological processes, vitamin D has emerged as a potential linchpin, exerting influence over diverse physiological pathways implicated in both CKD and CVD. In recent years, scientific exploration has unveiled a close connection between these two prevalent conditions and vitamin D, a crucial hormone traditionally recognized for its role in bone health. This article aims to provide an extensive review of vitamin D's multifaceted and expanding actions concerning its involvement in CKD and CVD.
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