[Update on recent progress in vitamin D research. The role of vitamin D in management of CKD-MBD.].

Vitamin D was originally discovered as a substance which alleviates rickets and studies revealed that vitamin D exerts pleiotropic effects. Vitamin D has a therapeutic effect on Chronic Kidney Disease(CKD)-associated bone lesion or secondary hyperparathyroidism. On the other hand, excessive vitamin D induces calcium and phosphate overload, resulting in vascular calcification and cardiovascular events. From the data so far, not all CKD patients can get the benefit of vitamin D. It is well indicated for CKD patients with vitamin D insufficiency, secondary parathyroidism, hypocalcemia, or low-turnover bone disease on the basis of avoiding calcium over load.