[Cardioprotective effect of vitamin D in nondialyzed patients with stage 3-5 CKD].

Epidemiological and observational data indicate that there is a close relationship between progressive renal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiovascular disease, and mortality. In addition, deficits in vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation play a crucial role in adversely affecting cardiovascular health in CKD patients. Even in patients with mild CKD, renal dysfunction is associated with cardiovascular events. Modulation of vitamin D levels results in correlative regulatory effects on mineral homeostasis, hypertension, and vascular calcification. The use of VDR activators such as paricalcitol to treat these and other parameters outside of cardiovascular and renal disease not only results in enhanced patient health but significantly reduces the mortality risk in CKD patients.