Effects of Synbiotics Supplementation on the Concentration of the Uremic Toxin Indoxyl Sulfate, Symptoms of Constipation, and Constipation-related Quality of Life in End-stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

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.