BACKGROUND arginine and its metabolites have been linked to pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to estimate serum levels of argninine (Arg), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in pediatric CKD patients and its relation to altered kidney function. PATIENTS AND METHODS 132 pediatric patients with CKD and 120 healthy age and sex matched controls...

Although the endocrine effects of vitamin D are widely recognized, somewhat less appreciated is that vitamin D may serve paracrine functions through local activation by 1-alpha-hydroxylase and thus maintain immunity, vascular function, cardiomyocyte health, and abrogate inflammation and insulin resistance. In the kidney, vitamin D may be important for maintaining podocyte health, preventing epi...