Cardiorenal relationships and a role of vitamin D in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Cardiorenal relationships in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are discussed in this review. Pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome is not fully understood, but supposed to be a complex condition resulted from neurohumoral activation, endothelial dysfunction, proteinuria, oxidative stress, uremia, and other factors. The airflow limitation in COPD could enhance those mechanisms. Recent studies discussed such therapeutic strategies as therapy of haemodymanic or neurohumoral abnormalities, but therapeutic approaches in this disease need further investigations. The lungs could play a role as a part of the cardiorenopulmonary syndrome. Effects of vitamin D on the main parameters of the cardiorenal syndrome and on COPD course have been published. Recent clinical and experimental findings consider vitamin D not only as a marker of the cardiorenal syndrome, but also as a therapeutic target in COPD.