Protective cardiovascular and renal actions of vitamin D and estrogen

The document from January 1, 2013, reviews the protective roles of vitamin D and estrogen in cardiovascular and renal health. It suggests that vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular and renal diseases and that supplementation could improve cardiovascular outcomes, especially in African Americans and postmenopausal women who are at higher risk. The review indicates that combined treatment with vitamin D and sex steroids may enhance cardiovascular health by increasing nitric oxide and CGRP levels. It also notes that maintaining vitamin D levels at ≥30 ng/ml is beneficial for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to prevent metabolic bone disease. The document discusses how vitamin D may protect against hypertension by suppressing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and how estrogen may be renoprotective. A clinical trial with 27,805 patients showed that male sex was a risk factor for CKD in type 1 diabetes mellitus. The document also explores the potential benefits of estrogen and progestins in postmenopausal women for cardiovascular health and suggests that large clinical trials are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of hormones and vitamin D on cardiovascular health.