Vitamin D Concentration and the Risk of Acute Rejection Following Kidney Transplatation

Patients with end-stage kidney disease can be treated with dialysis or receive a kidney transplant. Research has shown that kidney transplantation is a cost-saving procedure that improves both survival and quality of life for the patient. Unfortunately, many transplants fail prematurely due to early and late types of rejection. In animal studies, vitamin D has been shown to be important in immune system function and decreases transplant rejection. Many patients with kidney failure have low levels of vitamin D. In this study, we will determine if vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of rejection following kidney transplantation. If we show that vitamin D levels are important, we can proceed to develop treatment strategies to restore vitamin D at the time of transplantation. If vitamin D treatment proves effective, transplant rejection will be reduced leading to fewer failed transplants. Reducing the number of patients who must return to dialysis will lead to a great improvement in survival and quality of life for the growing number of patients with end-stage kidney disease as well as save money for the health care system. This would represent an important advance in the management of this very disabling and lethal long-term condition.