Skip to content

Study of Oral Uremic Toxin Absorbent and Probiotics to Retard the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Study of Oral Uremic Toxin Absorbent and Probiotics to Retard the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04819217
Enrollment
180
Registered
2021-03-26
Start date
2020-05-01
Completion date
2030-12-01
Last updated
2025-07-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

CKD

Keywords

CKD oral absorbent probiotics LncRNA, gut microbiota

Brief summary

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), uremic toxins accumulate when kidney function declines. Those uremic toxins had a greater affinity to circulating proteins are called protein bound uremic toxins, PBUT. Apart from traditional small or middle molecule uremic toxins, the PBUTs can be rarely eliminated using traditional renal replacement therapy, even using high flux dialysis modalities. Among these molecules identified, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresol (PC) are mostly studied. Both in vitro and in vivo study, IS and PC are associated with endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and increased risk for CV outcomes. The uremic toxins (IS and PC) are originated in the endogenous environment, mainly from the protein metabolism, food intake, or produced by gut microbiota. Prevention of IS or PC precursors from being absorbed across the intestinal tract has been extensively studied in the renal literature by use of oral adsorbents. In animal models, activated charcoal reduces the serum concentration of creatinine (cre) and may delay CKD progression by alleviating IS overload. An oral form of non-absorbable surface-modified activated bamboo charcoal (ABC), has been demonstrated to effectively reduce circulating and renal IS levels in animal models. Recently, probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics have been reported to reduce inflammation, improve kidney function and retard progression of CKD by restoring the symbiosis of gut microflora in patients with CKD. A randomized trial found synbiotics decreased serum PCS without reducing serum IS in non-dialysis CKD. Another study found that synbiotics delayed CKD progression. A systematic review found prebiotic and probiotic therapies reduced IS and PCS in patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) on haemodialysis. However, it is unclear whether the results hold true for other patients with CKD. Based on these previous findings, investigators will conduct a prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) study to see if oral uremic toxin absorbent + probiotics prevent CKD progression. Also, a panel of clinical and biochemical profiles will be checked to investigate possible link between several biomarkers and clinical response.

Detailed description

In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), uremic toxins accumulate when kidney function declines. Those uremic toxins had a greater affinity to circulating proteins are called protein bound uremic toxins, PBUT. Apart from traditional small or middle molecule uremic toxins, the PBUTs can be rarely eliminated using traditional renal replacement therapy, even using high flux dialysis modalities. Among these molecules identified, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresol (PC) are mostly studied. Both in vitro and in vivo study, IS and PC are associated with endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and increased risk for CV outcomes. The uremic toxins (IS and PC) are originated in the endogenous environment, mainly from the protein metabolism, food intake, or produced by gut microbiota. Prevention of IS or PC precursors from being absorbed across the intestinal tract has been extensively studied in the renal literature by use of oral adsorbents. In animal models, activated charcoal reduces the serum concentration of creatinine (cre) and may delay CKD progression by alleviating IS overload. An oral form of non-absorbable surface-modified activated bamboo charcoal (ABC), has been demonstrated to effectively reduce circulating and renal IS levels in animal models. Recently, probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics have been reported to reduce inflammation, improve kidney function and retard progression of CKD by restoring the symbiosis of gut microflora in patients with CKD. A randomized trial found synbiotics decreased serum PCS without reducing serum IS in non-dialysis CKD. Another study found that synbiotics delayed CKD progression. A systematic review found prebiotic and probiotic therapies reduced IS and PCS in patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD) on haemodialysis. However, it is unclear whether the results hold true for other patients with CKD. Based on these previous findings, investigators will conduct a prospective randomized open blinded end-point (PROBE) study to see if oral uremic toxin absorbent + probiotics prevent CKD progression. Also, a panel of clinical and biochemical profiles will be checked to investigate possible link between several biomarkers and clinical response. During this 6 months' trial, eligible 120 patients with eGFR 15 \< eGFR \< 45 ml/min/1.73m2 and UACR \> 100 mg/g will be enrolled and randomized into 4 groups. The patients in group 1 will receive CharXenPlus 4g (with ABC 2g) thrice daily + CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the initial 3 months. Group 2 will receive CharXenPlus 4g thrice daily in the initial 3 months, and CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the last 3 months. Group 3 will receive CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the initial 3 months, and CharXenPlus 4g thrice daily in the last 3 months. Group 4 will only receive CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the last 3 months. In addition to demographic data, the degrees of proteinuria (UACR), serum albumin, AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, Na, K, Cl, Ca, P, Mg, uric acid, IS, PC, TMAO, FGF-23, klotho, KIM-1, NGAL, metabolomics, lcnRNA, and fecal microbiota will be assessed at the baseline, 3rd and 6th month of the trial.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTActive bamboo charcoal

During this 6 months' trial, eligible 120 patients with eGFR 15 \< eGFR \< 45 ml/min/1.73m2 and UACR \> 100 mg/g will be enrolled and randomized into 4 groups. The patients in group 1 will receive CharXenPlus 4g (with ABC 2g) thrice daily + CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the initial 3 months. Group 2 will receive CharXenPlus 4g thrice daily in the initial 3 months, and CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the last 3 months. Group 3 will receive CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the initial 3 months, and CharXenPlus 4g thrice daily in the last 3 months. Group 4 will only receive CharXprob 0.8 g once daily in the last 3 months.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProbiotics

Probiotics

Sponsors

National Taiwan University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Age ≥ 20 years old on the day of screening. 2. CKD patients with eGFR 15 \< eGFR \<45 ml/min/1.73m2 and UACR \> 100 mg/g in a stable status, creatinine elevated less than 0.3 mg/dL in at least 30 days before enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

1. Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) \< 15 ml/min/1.73m2 according to MDRD equation. 2. Patients in severe malnutrition status, albumin less than 2.0 g/dL 3. Patients in severe anemia or active gastrointestinal bleeding with hemoglobulin \< 8 g/dL. 4. Peptic ulcer, esophageal varices, ileus or under fasting status 5. Previous gastrointestinal operation. 6. Chronic constipation, as defined with less than 3 bowel movements per week, straining, hard stools, incomplete evacuation and inability to pass stool. If usage of oral laxatives can achieve bowel movement, this patient will not be excluded. 7. Patients with major hemorrhage, as defined with acute hemorrhage and requirement of blood transfusion during index admission. 8. Patients with a biopsy proved or clinically diagnosed advanced liver cirrhosis, Child classification B or C. 9. Solid organ or hematological transplantation recipients. 10. Patients with oliguric kidney injury, as defined with less than 500 cc/day. 11. Evidence of obstructive kidney injury or polycystic kidney disease. 12. Antibiotics or probiotics treatment within the last 2 weeks before enrollment and during follow-up period. 13. Presence or history of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to the day of screening.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The % change of UACRbaseline, 3rd month, 6th monthUrine albumin divided by urine creatinine
The % change of Creatininebaseline, 3rd month, 6th monthSerum creatinine (mg/dL)
The % change of eGFRbaseline, 3rd month, 6th monthEstimates glomerular filtration rate based on creatinine and patient characteristics.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
FGF-23baseline, 3rd month, 6th monthprotein-binding uremic toxin
plasma lncRNAbaseline, 3rd month, 6th monthLong non-coding RNAs (long ncRNAs, lncRNA) are a type of RNA, defined as being transcripts with lengths exceeding 200 nucleotides that are not translated into protein.
Fecal microbiotabaseline, 3rd month, 6th monthmicroorganism in fecese

Countries

Taiwan

Contacts

Primary ContactChau chung Wu, Ph.D.
Chauchungwu@ntu.edu.tw02-23123456
Backup ContactMei-Chang Huang, Master
r204.cc01@gmail.com02-23123456

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026