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Effects of Synbiotics Supplementation on the Uremic Toxin Indoxyl Sulfate Level and Constipation in End-stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Not Applicable
Conditions
Constipation
End Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Synbiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus & Bifidobacterium longum 5x10^9 CFU and FOS 60 mg
Other: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT04527640
Lead Sponsor
Indonesia University
Brief Summary

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted to evaluate the effects of synbiotics supplementation on the level of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate, symptoms of constipation, and constipation-related quality of life in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Detailed Description

One of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis is constipation, which is one of the risk factors of microbiota dysbiosis. One effect of dysbiosis is the increased level of a uremic toxin known as indoxyl sulfate. The accumulated concentration of indoxyl sulfate in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which in turn increases the risk of cardiovascular event. Constipation and an increased risk of cardiovascular event is associated with low quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Synbiotics administrations had become one of the many ways to improve gut dysbiosis as it is expected to lower the level of indoxyl sulfate and improve the symptoms of constipation and constipation-related quality of life. Although studies had investigated the role of probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics, the role of synbiotics in lowering the concentration of the uremic toxin indoxyl sulfate remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study is conducted to demonstrate the benefits of synbiotics administration in lowering the concentration of indoxyl sulfate in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis, This is the first study in Indonesia investigating the effects of synbiotics supplementation in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

This study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted on end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients will be divided into two arms: synbiotics and placebo. The study will take place in the hemodialysis unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in September 2020 to February 2021. A total of 60 participants will be recruited for the study (30 in each arm), who will be randomized into the synbiotic arm or the placebo arm. Both investigators and patients will be blinded to the treatment, and blinding will be conducted by the pharmacy unit of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital.

Patients who had consented to participate will be assessed for medical history and physical examination. Food recall evaluation will also be performed by a nutritionist. Blood samples will be collected from the patient for laboratory examinations, including haemoglobin, white blood cells (WBC), platelet, urea, creatinine, albumin, and indoxyl sulfate. Patients will also be asked to complete two questionnaires: the Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire to assess the symptoms of constipation and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire to assess constipation-related quality of life. After this, patients will be randomized into one of the two study arms. The data will serve as baseline data.

Patients will receive 2 capsules containing either synbiotics or placebo per day for the next 30 days. Afterwards, the patients will undergo examination to evaluate food recall and side effects. After evaluation, the patients will once again receive 2 capsules containing either synbiotics or placebo per day for the next 30 days, and after a total 2 months of interventions, will undergo examinations similar to that done in baseline examination.

The primary outcome of this study is the concentration of indoxyl sulfate in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis. Secondary outcomes include the symptoms of constipation and constipation-related quality of life in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

This study will be done according to the principles detailed in Helsinki declaration, Guideline for Good Clinical Practice from ICH Tripartite Guideline (ICH-GCP), and had been approved by the Ethical Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of Indonesia University.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged more than 18 years old
  • Had undergone hemodialysis twice a week for a minimum of 3 months, with each visit lasting 5 hours
  • Had only undergone hemodialysis therapy (not peritoneal dialysis/kidney transplantation)
  • No history of malignancy or undergoing chemotherapy/radiation therapy
  • No history of autoimmune disease or consuming immunosuppressants
  • No history of bowel resection
  • Had never been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients whose hemodialysis schedule was changed from twice a week to three times a week
  • Patients consuming prebiotics/probiotics/synbiotics within the past 3 weeks
  • Patients experiencing infection or is consuming antibiotics
  • Patients who are not willing to participate

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Synbiotic ArmSynbiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus & Bifidobacterium longum 5x10^9 CFU and FOS 60 mgPatients receiving synbiotics: Lactobacillus acidophilus \& Bifidobacterium longum 5x10\^9 Colony Forming Unit (CFU) and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) 60 mg, 2 capsules/day for 60 days
Placebo ArmPlaceboPatients receiving placebo capsules containing saccharum lactis (2 capsules/day for 60 days)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Indoxyl Sulfate concentrationThrough study completion, an average of 60 days

Concentration of indoxyl sulfates in the subjects' blood samples

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Symptoms of constipationThrough study completion, an average of 60 days

Constipation-related symptoms as assessed using Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire. Score will be assessed at the start and at the end of the study. Symptoms will be considered improved if there is a reduction of total score by 1 or more point(s).

Constipation-related quality of lifeThrough study completion, an average of 60 days

Constipation-related quality of life as assessed using Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) questionnaire. Score will be assessed at the start and at the end of the study. Quality of life will be considered improved if there is a reduction of total score by 1 or more point(s).

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