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Impact of Vitamin D Repletion in Hemodialysis Patients

Immunologic Impact of Vitamin D Repletion in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01175798
Enrollment
116
Registered
2010-08-05
Start date
2010-08-31
Completion date
2013-08-31
Last updated
2014-09-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

End-stage Renal Disease, Vitamin D Deficiency

Keywords

Vitamin D deficiency, End-stage renal disease, Immunity

Brief summary

Dialysis patients often suffer from defects in their immune system (that part of the body which fights infection). Evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may have a negative effect on immunity, and many dialysis patients are deficient in Vitamin D. We believe that by giving Vitamin D to dialysis patients who are deficient, we may help improve their immune system. This study will test that idea.

Detailed description

Innate and adaptive immunity are commonly impaired in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. The myriad of immune defects in these patients, often attributed to uremia, may account for their high risk of bacterial infection and suboptimal responses to vaccination. The mechanisms underlying these abnormalities in immune function remain elusive, but emerging evidence indicates that 25OH-Vitamin D exerts potent and complex control over innate and adaptive immunity. Vitamin D deficiency is common in dialysis patients, and the immune effects associated with 25OH-Vit D deficiency overlap with those found in many dialysis patients. The kidney is the dominant site of 1-alpha-hydroxylase activity required for producing active 1,25OH-Vit D; however, immune cells also express the 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme. Evidence indicates the effects of Vitamin D on modulating immunity require conversion of 25OH-Vit D to 1,25OH-Vit D within the immune cells (rather than via circulating 1,25OH-Vit D). As a consequence, total body deficiency of 25OH-Vit D can impact immune function despite ongoing therapy with active 1,25OH-Vit D (which most dialysis patients are receiving). Our preliminary data confirm the high prevalence of 25OH-Vit D deficiency in dialysis patients and show that Th1 T cell alloimmunity is stronger in patients deficient in 25OH-Vit D, supporting the hypothesis that Vit D deficiency has important immunological consequences. Based on the published literature and our preliminary data, we hypothesize that repletion of 25OH-Vit D enhances immunity in dialysis patients. To test this hypothesis, we propose a randomized controlled trial of oral 25OH-Vit D repletion in this patient population. One hundred fifty 25OH-Vit D deficient study subjects will be randomized to either treatment with 50,000 IU oral 25OH-Vit D weekly or no treatment (standard of care). The primary outcome of change in 25OH-Vit D level will be measured at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Secondary outcomes to be measured include change in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profile by flow cytometry at 6 and 12 months, change in ELISPOT-based panel of reactive T cell (PRT) readout at 6 and 12 months, change in PMBC cytokine production in response to toll-like-receptor stimulation at 6 and 12 months, and response to influenza vaccination.

Interventions

DRUGCholecalciferol

50,000 IU PO weekly x 6 weeks

Sponsors

National Kidney Foundation, United States
CollaboratorOTHER
American Heart Association
CollaboratorOTHER
Mehrotra, Anita, M.D.
Lead SponsorINDIV

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Age \> 18 years 2. Chronic hemodialysis treatments for at least 2 consecutive months 3. 25OH-Vitamin D level \< 25 ng/mL (inclusion criteria for randomization)

Exclusion criteria

1. History of acute renal failure requiring dialysis with potential for renal recovery 2. History of HIV/AIDS 3. Inability to provide informed consent

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in 25OH-Vitamin D Level1 yearVitamin D deficient study subjects will be randomized to either treatment with 50,000 IU oral 25OH-Vit D weekly or no treatment (standard of care). The primary outcome of change in 25OH-Vit D level will be measured at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Immune Parameters1 yearSecondary outcomes to be measured include change in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profile by flow cytometry at 6 and 12 months, change in ELISPOT-based panel of reactive T cell (PRT) readout at 6 and 12 months, change in PMBC cytokine production in response to toll-like-receptor stimulation at 6 and 12 months, and response to influenza vaccination.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
No Treatment (Standard of Care)
Patients will be randomized in a 3:2 ratio to oral Vitamin D treatment, or standard of care (no repletion).
34
Vitamin D Repletion
Patients will be randomized in a 3:2 ratio to oral Vitamin D treatment, or standard of care (no repletion). Cholecalciferol: 50,000 IU PO weekly x 6 weeks
62
Total96

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalVitamin D RepletionNo Treatment (Standard of Care)
25(OH) vitamin D13.2 ng/dL13.4 ng/dL13.1 ng/dL
Age, Continuous59 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15
60.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.3
58.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.9
Sex: Female, Male
Female
40 Participants26 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
56 Participants36 Participants20 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 340 / 62
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 340 / 62

Outcome results

Primary

Change in 25OH-Vitamin D Level

Vitamin D deficient study subjects will be randomized to either treatment with 50,000 IU oral 25OH-Vit D weekly or no treatment (standard of care). The primary outcome of change in 25OH-Vit D level will be measured at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.

Time frame: 1 year

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
No Treatment (Standard of Care)Change in 25OH-Vitamin D Level15.8 ng/dL
Vitamin D RepletionChange in 25OH-Vitamin D Level40.9 ng/dL
Secondary

Change in Immune Parameters

Secondary outcomes to be measured include change in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profile by flow cytometry at 6 and 12 months, change in ELISPOT-based panel of reactive T cell (PRT) readout at 6 and 12 months, change in PMBC cytokine production in response to toll-like-receptor stimulation at 6 and 12 months, and response to influenza vaccination.

Time frame: 1 year

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 7, 2026