Dr. med. Jana Henschkowski
Type of fellowship: Early Career
Duration: 1 May 2006 - 30 April 2008
Center: “Geriatrische Universitätsklinik, Spital Netz Bern” (Geriatric University Clinic, Bern Hospital Network), Ziegler, Berne, Switzerland
Dr. Jana Henschkowski from Münster in Westphalia served her residency in internal medicine and nephrology in Dresden, Bern and Zurich. Her research focuses on geriatric nephrology and hypertension.
Research project
The influence of large-dose vitamin D on kidney health
As a “renal ancillary study,” the project constitutes part of a double-blind, randomized, and controlled study examining the role of vitamin D (2000 IU versus 400 IE cholecalciferol) in secondary prevention of knee osteoarthrosis. The main study will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Bischoff-Ferrari of “Universitätsspital Zürich” (University Hospital Zürich), who will also be responsible for co-mentoring the renal ancillary study.
Data from the NHANES III survey indicate a high prevalence (19%) of albuminuria in over-60s. Albuminuria is an early indicator of glomerular damage and represents a risk factor both for progressive decline in renal function and for increased cardiovascular mortality. There are therefore important clinical reasons to improve recognition and treatment of albuminuria. Treatment to date has been limited to sustained blood pressure reduction, where possible with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin antagonists.
The literature indicates that vitamin D has a favorable impact on albuminuria. The hypothesis in our renal ancillary study is that large-dose vitamin D (2000 IU cholecalciferol) significantly reduces albuminuria compared to 400 IE cholecalciferol. An exploratory examination of the role of the recently described phosphatonin FGF-23 in vitamin D replacement will also be carried out. FGF-23 inhibits 1-alpha hydroxylase activity in the kidney. This enzyme is important for the transformation of vitamin D precursors into active vitamin D. Studies have revealed elevated concentrations of FGF-23 in patients with reduced renal function. By inhibiting 1-alpha hydroxylase activity, elevated FGF-23 levels are believed to reduce concentrations of active vitamin D. Thus, vitamin D replacement is thought to be less efficient in patients with reduced renal function.
Duration: 1 May 2006 - 30 April 2008
Center: “Geriatrische Universitätsklinik, Spital Netz Bern” (Geriatric University Clinic, Bern Hospital Network), Ziegler, Berne, Switzerland
Dr. Jana Henschkowski from Münster in Westphalia served her residency in internal medicine and nephrology in Dresden, Bern and Zurich. Her research focuses on geriatric nephrology and hypertension.
Research project
The influence of large-dose vitamin D on kidney health
As a “renal ancillary study,” the project constitutes part of a double-blind, randomized, and controlled study examining the role of vitamin D (2000 IU versus 400 IE cholecalciferol) in secondary prevention of knee osteoarthrosis. The main study will be carried out under the supervision of Prof. Bischoff-Ferrari of “Universitätsspital Zürich” (University Hospital Zürich), who will also be responsible for co-mentoring the renal ancillary study.
Data from the NHANES III survey indicate a high prevalence (19%) of albuminuria in over-60s. Albuminuria is an early indicator of glomerular damage and represents a risk factor both for progressive decline in renal function and for increased cardiovascular mortality. There are therefore important clinical reasons to improve recognition and treatment of albuminuria. Treatment to date has been limited to sustained blood pressure reduction, where possible with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin antagonists.
The literature indicates that vitamin D has a favorable impact on albuminuria. The hypothesis in our renal ancillary study is that large-dose vitamin D (2000 IU cholecalciferol) significantly reduces albuminuria compared to 400 IE cholecalciferol. An exploratory examination of the role of the recently described phosphatonin FGF-23 in vitamin D replacement will also be carried out. FGF-23 inhibits 1-alpha hydroxylase activity in the kidney. This enzyme is important for the transformation of vitamin D precursors into active vitamin D. Studies have revealed elevated concentrations of FGF-23 in patients with reduced renal function. By inhibiting 1-alpha hydroxylase activity, elevated FGF-23 levels are believed to reduce concentrations of active vitamin D. Thus, vitamin D replacement is thought to be less efficient in patients with reduced renal function.