Xiaoling Guan1, Huajie Yang2, Wei Zhang1, Huanjun Wang1, Lin Liao3. 1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. 2. Department of Cadres Health Care, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. 3. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China. Email: liaolin@medmail.com.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the advances of studies on vitamin D receptor and its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of the PubMed literatures without restriction on the publication date was carried out using keywords such as vitamin D receptor and diabetic nephropathy. STUDY SELECTION: Articles related to vitamin D receptor and diabetic nephropathy were selected and carefully analyzed. RESULTS: The ligands as well as construction and tissue distribution of vitamin D receptor were summarized. Pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy was analyzed. The mechanisms underlying the renoprotective role of vitamin D receptor including inhibition of renin-angiotensin system, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and the reduction of proteinuria were reviewed. Mounting evidences from animal and clinical studies have suggested that vitamin D therapy has beneficial effects on the renal systems and the underlying renoprotective mechanisms of the vitamin D receptor-mediated signaling pathways is a hot research topic. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that vitamin D receptor has a great potential for preventing the progression of diabetic nephropathy via multiple mechanisms.
OBJECTIVE: To review the advances of studies on vitamin D receptor and its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of the PubMed literatures without restriction on the publication date was carried out using keywords such as vitamin D receptor and diabetic nephropathy. STUDY SELECTION: Articles related to vitamin D receptor and diabetic nephropathy were selected and carefully analyzed. RESULTS: The ligands as well as construction and tissue distribution of vitamin D receptor were summarized. Pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy was analyzed. The mechanisms underlying the renoprotective role of vitamin D receptor including inhibition of renin-angiotensin system, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and the reduction of proteinuria were reviewed. Mounting evidences from animal and clinical studies have suggested that vitamin D therapy has beneficial effects on the renal systems and the underlying renoprotective mechanisms of the vitamin D receptor-mediated signaling pathways is a hot research topic. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that vitamin D receptor has a great potential for preventing the progression of diabetic nephropathy via multiple mechanisms.