The goal of this study is to evaluate the role of nutritional Vitamin D deficiency as a potential contributor to the morbidity witnessed in patients with end-stage renal disease

The goals of this study are to elucidate the function of extrarenal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity in the setting of renal failure and to evaluate the role of nutritional vitamin D deficiency as a potential contributor to monocyte-associated inflammatory pathways in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This study will consist of patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis three times per week who have been identified to have nutritional vitamin D deficiency. After consent for study enrollment, patients will undergo a 4 week washout period of all active vitamin D supplementation. After washout is complete, an blood sample will be obtained for baseline 25(OH)D levels and monocyte isolation for analysis by flow cytometry. Patients will then be started on cholecalciferol 50,000 IU twice weekly for 8 weeks. 25-vitamin D levels will be monitored midway through the treatment phase of the study and dosing adjusted as further described in detail within the protocol section. An additional blood sample will be drawn post-therapy for repeat 25(OH)D levels and monocyte isolation for flow cytometry analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• End-stage renal disease undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at KUMC outpatient hemodialysis unit
• Dialysis vintage of at least 6 months duration
• Nutritional vitamin D deficiency, defined as 25(OH)D <25 ng/ml
• Age 21 to 88 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active infection
• Recent hospitalization for acute illness (within last 1 month)
• Refusal to study participation
• Poorly controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism (iPTH>500)
• History of chronic inflammatory disease process, such as inflammatory bowel, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.
• Cinacalcet therapy
• Previous allergy to ergocalciferol
• History of parathyroidectomy
• Current treatment with immunosuppressant medications
• Noncompliance with prescribed hemodialysis regimen (i.e. skipping treatments, ending sessions early)
• Functional renal transplant within the last five years

A total of 11 subjects were consented to the study. 1 subject was hospitalized before starting any procedures and did not complete any study procedures. 1 subject did not qualify for the study after consenting. Two subjects withdrew after consenting.

This was a pilot study using a small number of patients. Further studies are needed to validate these findings in larger groups of patients.