The role of D2 vitamin metabolite paricalcitol in nephroprotective strategy in chronic disease of the kidneys

Abstract

Calcitriol is important in nephroprotective strategy in chronic disease of the kidneys (CDK). However, its long-term use often results in hypercalciemia with metastatic calcification. Compared to calcitriol, paricalcitol (zemplar) - metabolite of vitamin D2 - leads to hypercalciemia less frequently, has a more potent nephroprotective effect and more rapidly decreases blood levels of parathyroid hormone. Paricalcitol in combination with lozartan has more pronounced nephroprotective effect. Morphological analysis detected inhibition of development of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. A cardioprotective effect of paricalcitol manifests with reduction of mortality from cardiovascular complications both at CDK predialysis stage and in regular hemodialysis.

Keywords

• chronic disease of the kidneys
• paricalcitol
• calcitriol