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CompletedNCT02999204Updated Feb 16, 2021

Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Arterial and Bone Remodeling in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

A Phase 4 interventional study of Vitamin D3 in Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, Vascular Stiffness and Bone Diseases, Metabolic, sponsored by Jewish General Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-02-16.

Sponsored by Jewish General Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 1 year 7 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2015, registered Aug 2016).
Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
57
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

To evaluate in patients with chronic kidney disease the impact of two dosages of per os vitamin D3 supplementation (cholecalciferol) on large arterial stiffness (evaluated non invasively by pulse wave velocity and high-resolution echotracking system). We will also study arterial calcification (lateral abdominal radiography and echocardiogram), arterial remodeling (high-resolution echotracking system), endothelial function (evaluated by a non-invasive finger biosensor device), and bone remodeling (evaluated by serum biomarkers and bone mineral density).

Read the detailed description

Structural changes to large arteries and abnormalities in mineral and bone metabolism are frequent manifestations in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Together, they contribute in a large part to the heightened morbidity and mortality observed in this population.

Epidemiological data in end stage renal disease and in the general population suggest the existence of a bone-vascular axis. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) in CKD encompasses altered bone remodeling and the propensity for vascular calcification. These pathological processes are driven by the multiple disorders of mineral metabolism in CKD, among them, abnormalities of vitamin D metabolism.

Vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D] is widely observed in CKD patients and has been associated with an increased rate of cardiovascular events in both the general population and in CKD patients. The mechanisms involved are not clearly established. Vitamin D influences blood pressure through effects on the renin-angiotensin system (via a vitamin D response element in the renin gene), vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocyte proliferation and hypertrophy, vascular inflammation and calcification. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with large arterial stiffness in end-stage renal disease patients. Aortic and carotid stiffness are independent predictors of cardiovascular and overall mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. Large arterial remodeling and stiffening could be the missing pathogenic link between vitamin D deficiency and increased cardiovascular event rate.

In terms of mineral metabolism, many CKD patients develop secondary hyperparathyroidism. This results from a combination of hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia and low levels of active Vitamin D [1,25(OH)D2]. Since several observational studies have shown that parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels are inversely correlated with blood 25(OH)D levels, it is possible that 25(OH)D deficiency may also be contributing to the hyperparathyroid state. Secondary hyperparathyroidism contributes to cardiovascular risk and to bone disease. Elevated PTH has been associated with large arterial stiffness and remodeling. Elevated PTH is also associated with high bone turnover and participates in the development of bone disease of CKD-MBD. Bone disease in CKD-MBD comprises abnormalities in bone turnover, mineralization, linear growth and strength. Bone biopsy remains the gold standard for evaluation of bone disease in CKD but its invasive nature limits its practice. Serum biomarkers of bone remodeling allow direct estimation of bone remodeling but lack evaluation and precision. Among them, guidelines issued by Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) recommend PTH (1-84) and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP). Other biomarkers exist including osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin, tartrate-resistant acid phosphate-5b (TRAP-5b), pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline, procollagen type 1 amino-terminal extension peptides, C terminal cross-link (CTX) , FGF-23 and fetuin-A. The major limitation of the use of these biomarkers is their kidney-dependent elimination that affects their measured levels depending on the degree of kidney dysfunction. We have chosen to study, in addition to PTH (1-84) and BSALP, CTX, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, fetuin-A and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) because a relationship between these biomarkers and arterial disease has never been demonstrated.

This study seeks to compare the impact of standard versus aggressive Vitamin D3 supplementation (in Vitamin D deficient CKD patients) on important vascular and bone health endpoints.

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Conditions studied

03

In context

Bone Diseases

261 studies on the registry are indexed under Bone Diseases; 49 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 57 is close to the median of 54 across 148 interventional studies indexed under Bone Diseases.

Browse Bone Diseases studies →

Lead sponsor

Jewish General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 95 studies on the registry; 11 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients with CKD stage 3-4 [estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula between 15 and 60 ml/min/1.73m2].
  • Serum vitamin D level\<50 nmol/L.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient with estimated GFR by MDRD formula below 15 or above 60 ml/min/1.73m2).
  • Serum vitamin D level >50 nmol/L.
  • Liver disease manifested by elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) more than 3 times the upper limit of normal reference range, elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin levels.
  • History of malabsorption or chronic diarrhea.
  • Patients on biphosphonates, estrogen replacement therapy, PTH analogs, glucocorticosteroids, calcimimetics, and active vitamin D [1,25(OH)].
  • Patients on antiepileptic medications or other medications affecting vitamin D metabolism (e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin).
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Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Care provider)
Enrollment
57 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Vitamin D3 5,000 units per week

    Patient receive a dose that is considered within the standard dosing range for Vitamin D3 for one year.

    Drug: Vitamin D3

  • Experimental
    Vitamin D3 50,000 units per week

    Patients receive a more aggressive Vitamin D3 dosing regimen of 50,000 units weekly for the first 3 months. At this point Vitamin D3 levels are measured. If the patient is Vitamin D3 replete (\>75 nmol/L) then the dose is reduced to the equivalent of 25,000 units per week for the next 9 months. If the level is below this threshold then 50,000 units per week is continued for the next 9 months

    Drug: Vitamin D3

Interventions

  • DrugVitamin D3

    Two different doses of Vitamin D3

    Also known as: cholecalciferol

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Aortic stiffness evaluated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) (Sphygmocor ® )

    Parameter measured in meters per second.

    Time frame: 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Carotid stiffness evaluated by high resolution echotracking system (Art-lab®).

    Parameter measured as the difference in millimeters in carotid artery diameter between systole and diastole.

    Time frame: 12 months

  2. Endothelial function evaluated by Endo-PAT2000® system

    Parameter measured as the reactive hyperemia index as calculated by the Endo-PAT2000® system software.

    Time frame: 12 months

  3. Aortic valve calcification obtained from echocardiography.

    Parameter measured using a semi-quantitative scoring system based on scale of 1-4 as described by Rosenhek et al, New England Journal of Medicine 2000;343 (9):611. 1-no calcification, 2-mildly calcified (small isolated spots), 3-moderately calcified (multiple larger spots), 4-heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification of all cusps).

    Time frame: 12 months

  4. Calcification of the aorta obtained by plain lateral radiography.

    Parameter measured using a semi-quantitative scoring system based on a scale of 0-3 as described by Kauppila et al, Atherosclerosis 1997;132:245. 0-no calcification, 1-small scattered calcific deposits filling less than 1/3 of the longitudinal wall of the aorta, 2-one third or more, but less than two thirds of the longitudinal wall of the aorta calcified, 3-two thirds or more of the longitudinal wall of the aorta calcified.

    Time frame: 12 months

  5. Bone mineral density

    Osteodensitometry of the lumbar spine, hip, and distal radius, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and reported in grams per square centimeter.

    Time frame: 12 months

  6. Parathyroid hormone levels

    Measurement of parathyroid hormone levels using a commercially available intact parathyroid hormone ELISA kit with values reported in ng/L.

    Time frame: 12 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Jewish General Hospital
    Montreal, Quebec H3T1E2, Canada
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References and documents

Publications

  • Guerin AP, Blacher J, Pannier B, Marchais SJ, Safar ME, London GM. Impact of aortic stiffness attenuation on survival of patients in end-stage renal failure. Circulation. 2001 Feb 20;103(7):987-92. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.103.7.987. PubMed 11181474 ↗
  • London GM, Guerin AP, Verbeke FH, Pannier B, Boutouyrie P, Marchais SJ, Metivier F. Mineral metabolism and arterial functions in end-stage renal disease: potential role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007 Feb;18(2):613-20. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2006060573. Epub 2007 Jan 3. PubMed 17202417 ↗
  • Kendrick J, Targher G, Smits G, Chonchol M. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency is independently associated with cardiovascular disease in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Atherosclerosis. 2009 Jul;205(1):255-60. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.10.033. Epub 2008 Nov 11. PubMed 19091317 ↗
  • Motiwala SR, Wang TJ. Vitamin D and cardiovascular disease. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens. 2011 Jul;20(4):345-53. doi: 10.1097/MNH.0b013e3283474985. PubMed 21519252 ↗
  • Artaza JN, Mehrotra R, Norris KC. Vitamin D and the cardiovascular system. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Sep;4(9):1515-22. doi: 10.2215/CJN.02260409. Epub 2009 Aug 20. PubMed 19696220 ↗
  • Barreto DV, Barreto FC, Liabeuf S, Temmar M, Boitte F, Choukroun G, Fournier A, Massy ZA. Vitamin D affects survival independently of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Jun;4(6):1128-35. doi: 10.2215/CJN.00260109. Epub 2009 May 14. PubMed 19443628 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 16, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT02999204
Lead sponsor
Jewish General Hospital
Responsible party
Mark L. Lipman (Associate Professor of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 21, 2016
Start date
Jan 2015
Primary completion
Sep 23, 2020
Completion
Oct 1, 2020
Last update
Feb 16, 2021

Study contacts

Mark L Lipman, M.D.
principal investigator · Jewish General Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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