25-hydroxyvitamin D response to cholecalciferol supplementation in hemodialysis

Background and objectives Recent understanding of extrarenal production of calcitriol has led to the exploration of native vitamin D treatment in dialysis patients. This paper reports the pharmacokinetics of 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to 10,333 IU cholecalciferol given weekly in subjects on chronic dialysis. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 15 weeks of oral cholecalciferol in subjects with stage 5 CKD requiring maintenance hemodialysis was conducted from November of 2007 to March of 2010. The time course of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was measured over the course of treatment. Additionally, blood was drawn at baseline and last visit for calcium, phosphorus, calcitriol, and parathyroid hormone levels. Results The median (interquartile range) baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 13.3 (11.1-16.2) ng/ml for the treatment group and 15.2 (10.7-19.9) ng/ml for the placebo group. 25-hydroxyvitamin D steady state levels rose by 23.6 (19.2-29.9) ng/ml in the treatment group, and there was no change in the placebo group. Calcitriol levels also increased significantly in the treatment group. There were no significant changes in levels of calcium, albumin, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone in either group. Conclusions Cholecalciferol (10,333 IU) given weekly in patients on chronic hemodialysis produces a steady state in 25-hydroxyvitamin D of approximately 24 ng/ml.