The Therapeutic Effect of Active Vitamin D Supplementation in Preventing the Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in a Diabetic Mouse Model.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and replacement therapy worldwide. Vitamin D levels in DN patients are very low due to the decrease in the synthesis and activity of 1- hydroxylase in the proximal tubule cells and decrease in the vitamin D receptor abundance. To date, few studies have shown the antioxidant effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D] on hyperglycemia-induced renal injury.