High-dose cholecalciferol reduces parathyroid hormone in patients with early chronic kidney disease: a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Vitamin D-deficiency contributes to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which occurs early in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objectives: We aimed to determine whether high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation for 1 y in early CKD is sufficient to maintain optimal vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration >= 30 ng/mL) and decrease serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). A secondary aim was to determine the effect of cholecalciferol on blood pressure and serum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). Design: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Forty-six subjects with early CKD (stages 2-3) were supplemented with oral cholecalciferol (vitamin D group; 50,000 IU/wk for 12 wk followed by 50.000 IU every other week for 40 wk) or a matching placebo for 1 y. Results: By 12 wk, serum 25(OH)D increased in the vitamin D group only [baseline (mean +/- SD): 26.7 +/- 6.8 to 42.8 +/- 16.9 ng/mL; P < 0.05] and remained elevated at I y (group-by-time interaction: P < 0.001). PTH decreased from baseline only in the vitamin D group (baseline: 89.1 +/- 49.3 to 70.1 +/- 24.8 pg/mL; P = 0.01) at 12 wk, but values were not significantly different from baseline at 1 y (75.4 +/- 29.5 pg/mL; P = 0.16; group-by-time interaction: P = 0.09). Group differences were more pronounced in participants with secondary hyperparathyroidism (group-by-time interaction: P = 0.004). Blood pressure and FGF23 did not change in either group. Conclusions: After 1 y, this oral cholecalciferol regimen was safe and sufficient to maintain serum 25(OH)D concentrations and prevent vitamin D insufficiency in early CKD. Furthermore, serum PTH improved after cholecalciferol treatment, particularly in patients who had secondary hyperparathyroidism. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00427037. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;96:672-9.