The General Hospital Corporation

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.

Anders Hayden Berg

S Ananth Karumanchi

Ravi Thadhani

Ishir Bhan

Described herein are assays directed to determining the level of bioavailable or free vitamin D in a blood sample in a subject. The values determined for bioavailable or free vitamin D indicate whether the subject suffers from insufficient levels of vitamin D. Also described herein are methods of treatment for vitamin D insufficiency.

Assays and methods of treatment relating to vitamin D insufficiency

The present invention relates to the discovery that an increased fraction of albumin is carbamylated in patients suffering from kidney disease (e.g., end-stage renal disease) and that the fraction of carbamylated albumin is also correlated with increased disease severity, particularly risk of mortality. The present invention also relates to the discovery that free amino acids can reduce carbamylation of albumin. Based on these discoveries the present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for patients suffering from, or suspected of suffering from kidney disease. The invention also provides methods for treating kidney disease by administration of a compound or composition that reduced protein carbamylation, such as free amino acids or dipeptides.

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Dedham, MA, United States of America

Anders Hayden Berg