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The Effects of a Dialysis-Specific Formula Rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Omega-3, and Dietary Fiber on Nutritional Status

The Effects of a Dialysis-Specific Formula Rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Omega-3, and Dietary Fiber on Nutritional Status

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07060040
Enrollment
100
Registered
2025-07-11
Start date
2025-07-31
Completion date
2027-12-31
Last updated
2025-07-11

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

Conditions

Dialysis, ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease)

Keywords

Branched-chain amino acid, Protein-energy malnutrition, fiber, omega-3, oral nutritional supplements, dialysis

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (SF) enriched with BCAAs, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber on improving the nutritional status of dialysis patients with mild to moderate malnutrition, and thereby alleviating fatigue and enhancing quality of life. We will assess various aspects of protein-energy wasting (PEW), as well as changes in the Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), fatigue, appetite, serum BCAA levels, uremic toxins, and gut microbiota composition.

Detailed description

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is highly prevalent in dialysis patients. If not promptly addressed, PEW increases the risk of falls, disability, fractures, hospitalization, and mortality, while significantly impairing quality of life. In clinical care, nutritional supplementation can prevent the onset of PEW and improve quality of life by reducing the severity of malnutrition. Numerous studies and meta-analyses have shown that dietary fiber can help reduce uremic toxins in CKD and dialysis patients. Additionally, research has shown that the loss of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during dialysis can lead to poor appetite, fatigue, and increased risk of PEW. In elderly hemodialysis patients, supplementation with 12 g/day of BCAAs has been shown to reduce anorexia and significantly improve nutritional status. The aim of this study is to improve the nutritional status of dialysis patients with mild to moderate malnutrition by providing a specialized formula (SF) supplement enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber. The ultimate goal is to alleviate fatigue and enhance quality of life. We will simultaneously evaluate changes in multiple aspects of protein-energy wasting (PEW), the malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), fatigue levels, appetite, serum BCAA concentrations, uremic toxins, and gut microbiota composition.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBOSCOGEN 18% Protein ONS: Energy 480 kcal, Protein 21.6 g, BCAA 6000 mg, Omega-3 fatty acid 1.8 g, fiber 5 g

Oral nutritional supplementation: Energy 480 kcal, Protein 21.6 g, BCAA 6000 mg, Omega-3 fatty acid 1.8 g, fiber 5 g

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTFresubin dialysis ONS (200 ml): Energy 300 kcal, Protein 20 g, BCAA - mg, Omega-3 fatty acid - g, fiber 0.2 g

Fresubin dialysis ONS (200 ml): Energy 300 kcal, Protein 20 g, BCAA - mg, Omega-3 fatty acid - g, fiber 0.2 g

Sponsors

Multipower Enterprise Corp.
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with ESRD who have been receiving dialysis for more than three months * Serum albumin (Alb) ≤ 4.0 g/dL, or body mass index (BMI) ≤ 20, or normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) ≤ 0.8 * Male or female patients aged 20 years or older

Exclusion criteria

* Serum albumin (Alb) \< 3.0 g/dL * Known allergy or intolerance to any component of the product, or deemed by a physician to be unable to complete the trial * Patients who refuse to sign the informed consent form or are unable to follow study instructions * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Patients with severe illnesses (including burn injuries), undergoing major surgery, with abnormal liver function (GOT and GPT levels more than 5 times the upper limit of normal), or with malignancy (6) Participation in another clinical trial of investigational drugs or concurrent use of investigational drugs within 30 days prior to or during this trial (7) Any other serious medical condition as determined by the investigator that would make the patient unsuitable for participation

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in body compositionFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Change in body composition including lean mass (kg) and fat mass (kg) as measured by bioimpedance
Change in Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksChange in total score of MIS (range 0-30; higher scores indicate worse nutritional status)
Change in Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksChange in GNRI score calculated using serum albumin and body weight (higher scores indicate better nutritional status)
Change in serum albumin concentrationFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Change in serum albumin level (g/dL)
Change in serum pre-albumin concentrationFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Change in serum pre-albumin level (mg/dL)
Change in Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW) statusFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Change in PEW status based on ISRNM criteria (present/absent)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in handgrip strengthFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Maximal and average handgrip strength (kg) will be measured using a hand dynamometer.
Serum BCAA concentrationFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksChange in serum BCAA concentration
Serum indoxyl sulfate concentrationFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksChange in serum indoxyl sulfate level
Serum p-cresyl sulfate concentrationFrom enrollment to end of treatment (12 weeks)Change in serum p-cresyl sulfate level
Brief Fatigue Inventory - Taiwanese versionFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksBrief Fatigue Inventory - Taiwanese version (range 0-10; higher scores indicate greater fatigue)
Stool Form AssessmentFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksBristol Stool Form Scale (a 7-point scale used to classify stool types, with higher score indicates looser stool consistency or more severe diarrhea)

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in gut microbiota compositionFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeksGut microbiota composition (stool), Alpha and Beta diversity indices

Outcome results

None listed

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