Nickan Research Institute Journal of Parathyroid Disease 2345-6558 2 1 2014 01 01 Vitamin D therapy in diabetic kidney disease; current knowledge on a public health problem 17 19 EN Mohammad-Reza Ardalan Houshang Sanadgol Hamid Nasri Azar Baradaran Mohammad-Reza Tamadon Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei Journal Article Diabetic kidney disease is a major risk of end-stage kidney failure and is associated with great morbidity and mortality, predominantly with accelerated cardiovascular disease. Current investigations have focused on the optimization of renin-angiotensin system blockade in patients with diabetic kidney disease using combinations of drugs that target this pathway, however some studies have focused on the potential of novel treatments that either target various pathways up-regulated by hyperglycemia or other targets believed to promote progression of diabetic kidney disease such as endothelin system, inflammation and vitamin D receptors. So far, a strong body of evidence supports vitamin D as a negative regulator of the circulating and local tissue renin-angiotensin system, while the renin-angiotensin system have a critical role in the physiology of sodium and volume homeostasis. The results of oral vitamin D therapy in type 2 diabetic patients are encouraging. However, more prospective interventional studies with larger duration and control of confounders are suggested