Impaired vitamin D metabolism in CKD.

Vitamin D metabolism consists of both production and catabolism, which are enzymatically driven and highly regulated. Renal vitamin D metabolism requires filtration and tubular reabsorption of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and is regulated by parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor-23, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. In chronic kidney disease, renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D from 25-hydroxyvitamin D is reduced. In addition, pharmacokinetic studies and epidemiologic studies of 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the most abundant product of 25-hydroxyvitamin D catabolism by CYP24A1, suggest that vitamin D catabolism also is reduced. New insights into the mechanisms and regulation of vitamin D metabolism may lead to novel approaches to assess and treat impaired vitamin D metabolism in chronic kidney disease.