Effect of Activated Vitamin D on Glucoparameters in HCV Seropositive and Seronegative Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

Introduction: Many studies support the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes. Pancreatic tissues express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D-binding protein; some allelic variations in genes involved in vitamin D metabolism and VDR are associated with glucose intolerance, defective insulin secretion, and sensitivity. Epidemiological links have been established between type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Aim: To explore the possible therapeutic potential of pharmacologic doses of 1-α-hydroxy vitamin D therapy in improving pancreatic β-cell function in HCV seropositive hemodialysis (HD) patients. Patients and methods: Twenty HCV seropositive HD patients and 20 HCV seronegative patients as control group were randomly selected from HD units. 1-α-Hydroxy vitamin D therapy was administrated in the dose ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/day for 3 months. Corrected total serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D [2...