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NephrolithiasisPhase 1/2NCT00587041

Use of Oral Probiotics to Reduce Urinary Oxalate Excretion

A Phase 1/2 study testing Oxadrop and Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB) in people with Nephrolithiasis and Hyperoxaluria, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two probiotic preparations (Agri-King Synbiotic and Oxadrop) on urinary oxalate excretion in patients with mild hyperoxaluria. Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Nephrolithiasis, Hyperoxaluria, Crohn's Disease
What is being tested?
Oxadrop and Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB)
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Feb 2006to Jul 2009
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Enteric hyperoxaluria (>0.5 mM/day; > 45 mg/day) due to fat malabsorption from inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's Disease). (Patients in remission maintained on stable doses of Remicade/Imuran/Methotrexate every 8 weeks can be recruited as long as the trial can be conducted between 5 and 8 weeks after the last dose); OR
  • Enteric hyperoxaluria (>0.5 mM/day; > 45 mg/day) from gastric bypass procedures (gastric bypass for obesity, or other surgical causes of gastric dumping and fat malabsorption (e.g., antrectomy, vagotomy and pyloroplasty for gastric ulcers) (Patients with inflammatory bowel disease must be in clinical remission); OR
  • Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis and mild hyperoxaluria of unknown etiology (>0.35 mM/day) (n=60)
  • Presence of radioopaque stones on x-ray, or a history consistent with passage of a stone or stone surgery or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in the last 5 years and if on stone medication, doses have remained stable for at least 3 months
  • Stone composition confirmed either by stone analysis demonstrating composition equal to or more than 50% calcium oxalate, or by radiographic demonstration of a calcific renal stone in the presence of hyperoxaluria

Who cannot join

  • On immunosuppressive medications (excluding small stable doses of prednisone of 10 mg or less)
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, known enteric bacterial infection, or history of splenectomy
  • Have a current malignancy, other than superficial skin cancers that have been excised, unless they felt to be in complete remission (> 5 years)
  • Previous colectomy
  • Have completed a course of oral or parenteral antibiotics less than 2 weeks before initiation of the study (patients who require a course of antibiotics during the period of preparation administration will be withdrawn from the study and excluded from the final analysis)
  • Patient pregnant or breast-feeding

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905

Other trials in United States

About this study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two probiotic preparations (Agri-King Synbiotic and Oxadrop) on urinary oxalate excretion in patients with mild hyperoxaluria. Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be beneficial to the host organism. Hyperoxaluria is a hereditary disorder that causes a special kind of stone to form in the kidney and urine. Oxalates are naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and in humans. Excretion of oxalates in the urine is a risk factor for kidney stone formation.

Our hypothesis was that the mild hyperoxaluria is due to over absorption of oxalate from food and that probiotics will improve gastrointestinal barrier function to decrease oxalate absorption across the gut (and hence its elimination in the urine).

In the study, participants were randomized to placebo, Agri-King Synbiotic, or Oxadrop, and were treated for 6 weeks. Patients were maintained on a controlled diet to remove the confounding variable of differing oxalate intake and availability from food.

Read the detailed description

Renal manifestations of chronic hyperoxaluria include nephrolithiasis and, when extreme, interstitial scarring and progressive loss of function. The clinical outcome can be dismal. Although primary hyperoxaluria is relatively rare, hyperoxaluria secondary to gastrointestinal malabsorption is not. Furthermore, the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones is extremely common, and evidence suggests that minimal, perhaps transient elevations in urinary oxalate concentration may be an important factor in at least a subgroup of these patients with "idiopathic" calcium oxalate urolithiasis. In the case of enteric hyperoxaluria the pathogenic role of oxalate is clear, and renal scarring is commonly observed as a consequence of oxalate exposure and calcium oxalate crystal deposition, in addition to stones. Unfortunately, few satisfactory specific treatments for enteric hyperoxaluria are available. Typical strategies include dietary restriction of oxalate to limit its delivery to the colon; low fat diets to limit malabsorption and distal colonic effects of fatty acids and bile acids; oral calcium to bind oxalate; and bile acid sequestrants like cholestyramine. In its entirety, this regimen is quite rigorous for patients, and even if compliance is achieved the therapy is not always effective. Previous studies have shown that components of the endogenous digestive microflora can utilize oxalate, potentially limiting its absorption from the intestinal lumen. A recent preliminary study demonstrated that a preparation of lactic acid bacteria degraded oxalate in vitro and reduced urinary oxalate excretion when given by mouth. We have recently demonstrated that the same preparation of lactic acid bacilli (Oxadrop) can reduce urinary oxalate excretion in patients with enteric hyperoxaluria. In the current proposal, in a placebo-controlled trial we will determine the effectiveness of this and another probiotic preparation (Agri-King Synbiotic) [AKSB] for the treatment of hyperoxaluria in patients with mild hyperoxaluria, as well as enteric hyperoxaluria.

Specific Aims are: 1) Determine the effect of two probiotic preparations (AKSB and Oxadrop on urinary oxalate excretion in a well-defined group of patients with enteric hyperoxaluria; and 2) Determine the effect of two probiotic preparations (AKSB and Oxadrop) on urinary oxalate excretion in a well-defined group of patients with idiopathic calcium oxalate urolithiasis and mild hyperoxaluria. If results are positive, treatment for calcium oxalate kidney stones could be revolutionized.

Being tested
Oxadrop, Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB), Placebo
Keywords
Synbiotic, Urine Oxalate, Probiotic, Kidney Stone, Gastric Bypass, Crohn's, Stone, Hyperoxaluria, Enteric Hyperoxaluria
Medical subject headings
Nephrolithiasis, Hyperoxaluria, Crohn Disease, Kidney Calculi, Calculi

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • OxadropDietary supplement

    Oxadrop 1 packet daily plus 1 placebo capsule twice daily. Each gram of Oxadrop® contains 2x1011 bacteria (L. acidophilus, L. brevis, S. thermophilus, and B. infantis).

  • Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB)Dietary supplement

    Also called AKSB

    AKSB 1 capsule twice daily plus 1 placebo packet daily. AKSB contains Fructo-oligosaccharide; Enterococcus faecium (SF68); Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies Boulardi; and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

  • PlaceboOther

    1 placebo packet daily and 1 placebo capsule twice daily

Study groups in NCT00587041
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants received placebo for 6 weeks: 1 placebo packet daily and 1 placebo capsule twice daily
Receives: Other: Placebo
OxadropActive comparatorParticipants received Oxadrop for 6 weeks: Oxadrop 1 packet daily plus 1 placebo capsule twice daily. Each gram of Oxadrop® contains 2x1011 bacteria (L. acidophilus, L. brevis, S. thermophilus, and B. infantis)
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Oxadrop
Agri-King SynbioticActive comparatorParticipants received AKSB for 6 weeks: AKSB 1 capsule twice daily plus 1 placebo packet daily. AKSB contains Fructo-oligosaccharide; Enterococcus faecium (SF68); Saccharomyces cerevisiae subspecies Boulardi; and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Receives: Dietary Supplement: Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in 24-hour Urinary Supersaturation for Calcium Oxalate

    Urine is often supersaturated, which favors precipitation of crystalline phases such as calcium oxalate. However, crystals do not always form in supersaturated urine because supersaturation is balanced by crystallization inhibitors that are also present. Supersaturation is calculated by measuring the concentration of all the ions that can interact. Once these concentrations are known, a computer program can calculate the theoretical supersaturation with respect to the important crystalline phases, eg, calcium oxalate. Values for supersaturated ions are expressed in units of Gibbs free energy.

    Measured: Time zero (on diet but no drug), 6 weeks (on drug and diet)

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. 24 Hour Urine Oxalate Excretion

    The amount of oxalate excreted in the urine over a 24 hour period, a risk for calcium oxalate kidney stones

    Measured: At end of study, approximately 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Jan 2008 (estimated)
  2. Study startFeb 2006
  3. Primary completionJul 2009
  4. Study completionJul 2009

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1/2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator
Enrolment
40 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00587041
Sponsor's protocol ID
1483-05
Other IDs
R21AT002534, UL1RR024150, P50DK083007
Status last verified
Apr 2012
First submitted
21 Dec 2007
Last updated
31 May 2012
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Lieske JC, Tremaine WJ, De Simone C, O'Connor HM, Li X, Bergstralh EJ, Goldfarb DS. Diet, but not oral probiotics, effectively reduces urinary oxalate excretion and calcium oxalate supersaturation. Kidney Int. 2010 Dec;78(11):1178-85. doi: 10.1038/ki.2010.310. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

    PubMed 20736987

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing Oxadrop and Agri-King Synbiotic (AKSB) in people with Nephrolithiasis and Hyperoxaluria, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 May 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this combined phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 31 May 2012). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in 24-hour Urinary Supersaturation for Calcium Oxalate (time frame: Time zero (on diet but no drug), 6 weeks (on drug and diet)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00587041, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 May 2012.

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