Activated vitamin D trial found no clear kidney outcome benefit
Calcifediol and calcitriol changed immune-cell gene activity, but neither significantly improved the main clinical outcome compared with placebo.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In these critically ill adults, neither activated vitamin D treatment showed a statistically clear advantage on the combined outcome of death, kidney replacement therapy and kidney injury. Changes in immune-cell gene activity did not translate into demonstrated clinical benefit. The result applies to this hospital population and these specific treatments, with uncertainty remaining around possible effects.
The primary assessment covered a short period. The abstract gives no primary effect-size estimates or confidence intervals, limiting how precisely readers can judge the range of possible clinical effects.
What researchers found
Ranked composite clinical endpoint
Calcifediol or calcitriol versus placebo within 7 days: death, kidney replacement therapy and change in serum creatinine.
How benefit was assessed
The primary analysis ranked outcomes combining death, the need for kidney replacement therapy and creatinine changes. Secondary outcomes, including new or worsening kidney injury, also showed no clear difference between treatment groups.
Biological changes and safety
Treatment altered gene activity in circulating immune cells, including pathways related to immune regulation and DNA repair. Elevated blood calcium occurred in both active-treatment groups, while no cases were reported with placebo.
The original publication
Randomized trial of activated vitamin D for acute kidney injury prevention in critically ill patients.
Leaf DE, Shenoy T, Zinchuk K et al.
JCI Insight · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40924491
- Record checked
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