MedPath

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (GSJYF) in Children With Inherited Proteinuric Kidney Disease

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Kidney Diseases
Hereditary Nephropathy
Proteinuria
Interventions
Drug: TCM+ Routine Therapy
Drug: Routine Therapy
Registration Number
NCT05759754
Lead Sponsor
Children's Hospital of Fudan University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether traditional Chinese medicine, Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula, as complementary treatment is safe and effective in the treatment of Inherited Proteinuric Kidney Disease.

Detailed Description

Current therapy for inherited proteinuric kidney disease remains limited. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) inhibitors such as Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) help to control proteinuria and slow the progression of kidney function loss. However, a substantial proportion of patients progress to end-stage renal disease, which is partly associated with high residual proteinuria. Novel therapies to decrease proteinuria and limit CKD progression are needed. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been extensively used in China for thousands of years and favored in treatment of chronic disease for multi-factorial, multi-target action.

The investigators' hypothesis is that this traditional Chinese medicine, targeted to podocyte injury and repair named Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula, can significantly reduce proteinuria and delay renal function loss in patients with proteinuric kidney disease. To test this hypothesis, the investigators plan to initiate a multicenter, open-label, two-arm, crossover, randomized clinical trial in 72 children with proteinuria kidney disease. The study population will consist of children with proteinuria who are on receiving routine therapy such as ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment. In this study, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive first either TCM+Routine Therapy or Routine Therapy for 12 weeks. A 2 weeks washout period was used before crossover.

The primary objective was to measure the change of urine protein excretion and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during the treatment period.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
72
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 3-18 years;
  • Proteinuria associated with hereditary nephropathy, which was confirmed by mutations in podocyte genes or syndromal genes (including collagens);
  • Urine protein more than 500 mg/24 hours and/or UPCR (in first-morning void) more than 0.5 mg/mg at time of baseline despite ACEI or ARB treatment for at least 3 months;
  • Estimated GFR ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73m2 (estimated with Schwartz formula);
  • Without any immunosuppressive medications such as corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, etc;
  • On a stable dose of ACEI or ARB for at least 4 weeks;
  • Willingness to give written consent and comply with the study protocol.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with Nephronophthisis, Polycystic kidney disease etc;
  • With abnormal liver function, ALT or AST >3.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN) at enrollment;
  • Receiving immunosuppressive therapy (including corticosteroids, and other immune suppressive medicine) within three months prior to enrollment;
  • Receiving other traditional Chinese medicine and/or its analogue which can reduce proteinuria within the past 2 weeks. Patients who are taking other TCM treatment could be enrolled after 2 weeks of wash out period;
  • Has undergone major organ transplantation (e.g. heart, kidney, liver);
  • Any medication, surgical or medical condition which might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, or metabolism including, but not limited to any of the following: active inflammatory bowel disease, received major gastrointestinal tract surgery;
  • History of noncompliance to medical regimens or inability to comply with the study and follow-up procedures.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Group ATCM+ Routine TherapyTCM+Routine therapy are used first for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks wash-out period, then Routine therapy for 12 weeks. TCM as Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula: 3g or 6g or 12g each time based on weight (3g for W≤20kg, 6g for 20-30kg, or 12g for W\>30kg), 2 times a day for 12 weeks, orally. The GSJYF samples were made and packed by Shanghai Fangxin Pharmaceutical Technology Co., LTD. with lot number of 20230830. Routine therapy: with stable dose of ACE inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Group ARoutine TherapyTCM+Routine therapy are used first for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks wash-out period, then Routine therapy for 12 weeks. TCM as Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula: 3g or 6g or 12g each time based on weight (3g for W≤20kg, 6g for 20-30kg, or 12g for W\>30kg), 2 times a day for 12 weeks, orally. The GSJYF samples were made and packed by Shanghai Fangxin Pharmaceutical Technology Co., LTD. with lot number of 20230830. Routine therapy: with stable dose of ACE inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Group BTCM+ Routine TherapyRoutine therapy are used first for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks wash-out period, then TCM+Routine therapy for 12 weeks. TCM as Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula: 3g or 6g or 12g each time based on weight (3g for W≤20kg, 6g for 20-30kg, or 12g for W\>30kg), 2 times a day for 12 weeks, orally. The GSJYF samples were made and packed by Shanghai Fangxin Pharmaceutical Technology Co., LTD. with lot number of 20230830. Routine therapy: with stable dose of ACE inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Group BRoutine TherapyRoutine therapy are used first for 12 weeks, followed by 2 weeks wash-out period, then TCM+Routine therapy for 12 weeks. TCM as Gu Shen Juan Yu Formula: 3g or 6g or 12g each time based on weight (3g for W≤20kg, 6g for 20-30kg, or 12g for W\>30kg), 2 times a day for 12 weeks, orally. The GSJYF samples were made and packed by Shanghai Fangxin Pharmaceutical Technology Co., LTD. with lot number of 20230830. Routine therapy: with stable dose of ACE inhibitors/ angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percentage change in urinary protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR) from baseline to week 26baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

UPCR in first-morning spot urine samples are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, and week 26. It is a repeated measurement.

Changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to week 26baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

eGFR will be evaluated using Schwartz formula (eGFR=k\*height(cm)/serum creatinine(umol/L)), k=36.5). Serum creatinine are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26. Serum creatinine is a repeated measurement.

Percentage change in urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) from baseline to week 26baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

UACR in first-morning spot urine samples are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, and week 26. UPCR is a repeated measurement.

Percentage change in 24-hour protein from baseline to week 26baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

24-hour urine samples are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, and week 26. 24-hour proteinuria is a repeated measurement.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in serum albumin from baseline to week 26baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

Serum albumin are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, and week 26. Serum albumin is a repeated measurement.

Changes of Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome scores after treatmentBaseline, week 26

A TCM syndrome scale points are used to evaluate the Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes at baseline, and week 26. The minimum values is 0 and maximum values is 36. The higher scores mean a severe status.

Changes in liver function parameters from baseline to week 26: Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

Blood samples are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26 to evaluate ALT

Changes in liver function parameters from baseline to week 26: Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26

Blood samples are measured at baseline, week 12, week 14, week 26 to evaluate AST

Trial Locations

Locations (9)

Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital

🇨🇳

Hefei, Anhui, China

First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University

🇨🇳

Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China

Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University/Henan Children's Hospital

🇨🇳

Zhengzhou, Henan, China

Wuhan Children's Hospital,Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

🇨🇳

Wuhan, Hubei, China

Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

🇨🇳

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

Shandong Provincal Hospital

🇨🇳

Shandong, Shandong, China

The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine

🇨🇳

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Children's Hospital of Fudan University

🇨🇳

Shanghai, China

Xuzhou Children's Hospital

🇨🇳

Xuzhou, China

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath