The effect of some medications given to CKD patients on vitamin D levels.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and polypharmacy is a common problem over chronic kidney disease (CKD) population.

Objectives: To assess the clinical and analytical characteristics of CKD patients with 25-OH-D3 deficiency (<15 ng/mL), including the possible role of associated drugs.

Methods: A single center observational review of 137 incident patients referred to our outpatient clinic with different stages of CKD and 25-OH-D3<15ng/mL (male gender 53.

Effects of dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in primary proteinuric nephropathies.

Background: Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or with angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers has been shown to reduce proteinuria and to slow down the progression of renal disease in diabetic and non-diabetic primary proteinuric nephropathies. Additionally, this beneficial effect is not dependent on blood pressure control.

Methods: To assess and compare the effects of lisinopril (up to 40 mg/day), candesartan (up to 32 mg/day) and combination therapy (lisinopril up to 20 mg/day plus candesartan up to 16 mg/day) on urinary protein excretion, 45 patients with primary proteinuric nephropathies (urinary protein/creatinine ratio 3.