Grant: Operating Grant

In chronic kidney disease, the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease (CVD). One major problem is vascular calcification- the formation of bone-like crystals in the blood vessel walls. Our study will examine the effects that the amounts of vitamin D and K as well as the mineral phosphate in the body have upon the blood vessels in CKD. Kidney disease patients have vitamin D and K deficiency. However, some studies suggest that excess vitamin D promotes VC. We want to find out how vitamin D, along with vitamin K, affects this process. We will explore how too much and too little vitamin D or K result in blood vessel calcification. We will also see how too much phosphate can change the way these vitamins work. These studies will be done using a rat animal model of kidney disease. We will change the amounts of vitamins D, K, and phosphate in the diets of animals with chronic kidney disease. We will then measure the amount of calcium and phosphate in blood vessels, hearts, and tissues in these animals as well as the gene expression of key proteins involved in vascular calcification as well as vitamin D and K metabolism. This will help provide an understanding in the roles of vitamin D and K as well as phosphate in the progress of vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease. This could pave the way to new treatments and recommendations for people suffering from this disease.