5 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
To determine whether or not chronic kidney disease (CKD), stages III-V and ESRD , is associated with altered vitamin D metabolism related to fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) stimulation of Cyp24 and whether they have resistance to elevations of 25 Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3) after cholecalciferol supplementation. To determine if such resistance is related to enhanced catabolism of (25(OH)related to elevated levels of FGF-23.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about how treatment with vitamin D can affect iron metabolism and blood levels of two hormones that control iron levels, hepcidin and hemojuvelin in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Iron is an essential mineral which is a major component of proteins that carry oxygen in the blood. Problems with iron metabolism can lead to low blood levels (anemia), which can commonly happen in people with CKD. New research over the last decade has uncovered a new hormone called 'hepcidin', which is made in the liver and released into the blood. Hepcidin controls how much iron is in the blood by preventing the absorption of iron from food. Blood levels of hepcidin C are found to be high in people with CKD, and a recent small study in people with normal kidney function showed that treatment with vitamin D decreased hepcidin levels. Another protein, known as 'hemojuvelin', has been recently discovered and is also thought to control the amount of iron in the blood. The relationship between vitamin D and hemojuvelin has never been studied before. In this study, investigators would like to examine the effects of vitamin D on iron metabolism and blood levels of hepcidin C and hemojuvelin in individuals with CKD.
The purpose of the study is to learn more about how treatment with vitamin D can affect iron metabolism and blood levels of hepcidin (hormone controlling iron levels) in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Iron is an essential mineral which is a major component of proteins that carry oxygen in the blood. Problems with iron metabolism can lead to low blood levels (anemia), which can commonly happen in people with CKD. New research over the last decade has uncovered a new hormone called 'hepcidin', which is made in the liver and released into the blood. Hepcidin controls how much iron is in the blood by preventing the absorption of iron from food. Blood levels of hepcidin C are found to be high in people with CKD, and a recent small study in people with normal kidney function showed that treatment with vitamin D decreased hepcidin levels. In this study, investigators would like to examine the effects of vitamin D (Ergocalciferol) on iron metabolism and blood levels of hepcidin in individuals with CKD.
The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment with paricalcitol, an active form of vitamin D, has beneficial effects on metabolic abnormalities in people with stage 3-4 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher mortality rate than the general population, with cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounting for approximately 50% of deaths. Vascular calcification is a common finding in patients with CKD. Furthermore, patients with CKD develop secondary hyperparathyroidism, partly because of a decrease of calcitriol synthesis on the kidney. Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism includes use of activated vitamin D including calcitriol and paricalcitol. Recent evidence in dialysis patients suggest an improved survival in patients using paricalcitol compared to calcitriol. Studies in uremic rats suggests that there are differential effects of calcitriol and paricalcitol in expression of markers of soft-tissue calcification independent of calcium-phosphorus product. Calcitriol increased calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in calcification media. There was also significant increase in pulse pressure in animals treated with calcitriol. The investigators hypothesize that these different forms of vitamin D may have differential effects in vascular calcification progression in CKD patients.