The vitamin D/parathyroid hormone axis in the pathogenesis of hypertension and insulin resistance in uremia.

Recent evidence suggests a pathogenetic link between hypertension and insulin resistance. In addition, disturbances of vitamin D/parathyroid hormone axis have been reported in various hypertensive and insulin-resistant states. Chronic renal failure is characterized by high incidence of hypertension, insulin resistance and disturbances in the vitamin D/parathyroid hormone axis. Preliminary studies in both patients and rats with end-stage renal disease who were hypertensive, insulin resistant and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol deficient with hyperparathyroidism; parenteral administration of pharmacological doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol led to reversal of hypertension and insulin resistance without significant changes in serum calcium or parathyroid hormone concentrations. Thus, vitamin D deficiency may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension and insulin resistance in end-stage renal disease.