AzTrials
AzTrials

Endstage Renal DiseasePhase 2/3PLANNCT02976688

Effects of Short-chain Fatty Acids on Inflammatory and Metabolic Parameters in Maintenance Hemodialysis

A Phase 2/3 study testing Sodium Propionate in people with Endstage Renal Disease, run by Azienda Sanitaria ASL Avellino 2.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, mineral and bone disorders, malnutrition, body wasting, muscle loss (sarcopenia), neurological problems and infections resulting in a poor survival. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 years
Conditions the study is for
Endstage Renal Disease
What is being tested?
Sodium Propionate
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
15 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Jan 2017to Dec 2017
Phase
Phase 2/3
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Stable hemodialysis patients treated by renal replacement therapy for at least 6 months
  • Written informed consent written

Who cannot join

  • Patients with malnutrition, infections, carcinoma, previous renal transplant, intestinal diseases (medically diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea) and antibiotic treatment within one month of study will be excluded.

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet.

Biagio Di Iorio, Chief, PhD contact

00390825530366

br.diiorio@gmail.com

About this study

Official title: Effects of Short-chain Fatty Acids, Here Sodium Propionate, a Metabolism Product of the Human Gut-microbiome, on Inflammatory and Metabolic Parameters in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis - a Pilot Study

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, mineral and bone disorders, malnutrition, body wasting, muscle loss (sarcopenia), neurological problems and infections resulting in a poor survival.

In the pathogenesis of the uremic syndrome the altered intestinal function seems to be an important contributor. While the normal gut microbiota plays a prominent role in the maintenance of health and disease prevention, changes of its composition is associated with numerous diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disturbances and auto-immune diseases.In ESRD metabolic alterations of uremia results in quantitative and qualitative changes of its bacterial flora with an overgrowth of pathobionts (1). Due to concomitant disruption of the intestinal barrier function, noxious luminal products are translocated in the body's internal milieu (2).The accumulation of these compounds correlates with systemic inflammation, protein wasting and accelerated cardiovascular complications in hemodialysis patients (3).

Read more

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced in the colon and distal small intestine by anaerobic bacteria following fermentation of complex carbohydrates.They have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antibacterial and antidiabetic effects (4). Supplementation of SCFA exerts anti-inflammatory actions both in intestinal epithelial cells (5) and in the cardiovascular system (6). They also positively influence auto- immune reactions /diseases (7,8).

In this study we want to investigate in MHD patients whether a treatment with SCFA in form of sodium propionate (SP) modulates the systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and accumulation of intestinal uremic toxins.

Read the detailed description

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with multiple comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, mineral and bone disorders, malnutrition, body wasting, muscle loss (sarcopenia), neurological problems and infections resulting in a poor survival. Important promoters of these obstacles are enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), systemic inflammation, acquired immunodeficiency (9, 10) and an impaired glucose and insulin homeostasis (11).

Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in ESRD are induced by activation of the innate immune system involving monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes and cellular constituents (endothelial cell activation) as well as depletion of natural regulatory T cells that impairs their ability to suppress inflammation .The concomitant reduced humoral immunity is favored by depletion of antigen presenting dendritic cells, a lowered CD44/CD8 T cell ratio, depletion of naïve and central memory T cells, diffuse B cell lymphopenia and an impaired phagocytic ability of monocytes and PMNs (12).

Insulin resistance (IR) participates in the pathogenesis of multiple metabolic and cardiovascular disturbances (13) and is an important factor of the accelerated muscle protein degradation in ESRD (14). Underlying mechanisms of IR are the metabolic inflammation, in particular elevated LPS levels.

In the pathogenesis of the uremic syndrome the altered intestinal function seems to be an important contributor. While the normal gut microbiota plays a prominent role in the maintenance of health and disease prevention, changes of its composition is associated with numerous diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disturbances and auto-immune diseases. In ESRD metabolic alterations of uremia results in quantitative and qualitative changes of its bacterial flora with an overgrowth of pathobionts (1). Due to concomitant disruption of the intestinal barrier function, noxious luminal products are translocated in the body's internal milieu (Fig.2). The passage includes whole bacteria (going into mesenteric lymph nodes), endotoxins/ lipoproteinlipase (LPS) (cell wall components of the bacteria) and other noxious luminal products which induce a persistent local (gut) and systemic inflammation.The process is intensified by the intestinal generation of several pro-inflammatory uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate and trimethyamine-N-oxide (2).The accumulation of these compounds correlates with systemic inflammation, protein wasting and accelerated cardiovascular complications in hemodialysis patients (3).

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced in the colon and distal small intestine by anaerobic bacteria following fermentation of complex carbohydrates. The 3 major compounds are acetic acid, butyric and propionic acids. SCFA contribute to the health of the gut (microbiome and mucosa) and the host. They have been shown to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antibacterial and antidiabetic effects. Lower values and an dysbiotic gut contribute to various diseases such colitis, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid disease and multiple sclerosis. Supplementation of SCFA exerts anti-inflammatory actions both in intestinal epithelial cells (5) and in the cardiovascular system (6). They also positively influence auto- immune reactions /diseases (7, 8). In particular SCFA enhances formation of regulatory T cells in the colon which are critical for regulating intestinal inflammation (15). Also effector T cells such as Il-10 are implicated (16). Likewise SCFA are involved in the control of body weight and insulin sensitivity (17), cholesterol synthesis (18) and retardation of progressive CKD.

In patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) a diet with a high fiber content, which favors the intestinal SCFA formation (19), lowered the plasma levels of the colon-derived solutes indoxyl sulfate and possibly p-cresol sulfate (20) and reduced inflammation, cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality in CKD/ESRD patients (21). However, in ESRD consumption of a fiber rich diet is limited due to the risk of hyperpotassemia. In addition the frequent antibiotic therapy, application of phosphate binder or iron therapy alters the gut microbiome.

The following mechanisms have been proposed for the actions of SCFA: the G-protein-coupled receptors GPR 41 and GPR 43 (the free fatty acid receptors FFAR 3 and 2 ), GPR 109a, Olfr78 , the inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) and stimulation of histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity (22, 23).

n this study we want to investigate in MHD patients whether a treatment with SCFA in form of sodium propionate (SP) modulates the systemic inflammation, insulin resistance and accumulation of intestinal uremic toxins. SP is chemically composed by a carboxylic acid moiety and a small hydrocarbon chain with three carbon atoms (black balls), two oxygen (red balls) and the white hydrogen atoms.

SP is involved in most effects of the short chain fatty acids including inhibition of intestinal and hepatocyte lipid synthesis (24), lowering of fasting glycemia (25, 26) and protection against diet-induced obesity ( 27). SP also regulates colonic T-reg cell homeostasis (28) and exerts marked anti-inflammatory actions including intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages (29) as well as in neutrophils, colon cells and colon cultures (30). It improved experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (31) and experimental acute renal failure (32). In addition antibacterial effects were documented (33, 34).

The patients under maintenance hemodialysis will receive the food additive sodium propionate with a daily intake of 2 x 500 mg in form of capsules (Propicum) for 12 weeks. The demographic information and the blood chemistry will be collected before the study, after 6, 12 and 16 weeks of drug administration.

The project will last for one year. The planned patient group should comprise of 15 patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Being tested
Sodium Propionate
Keywords
Endstage renal Disease, Hemodialysis

What participants receive

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

  • Sodium PropionateOther

    Also called Sodium propionate E281

    Sodium propionate is a non-toxic food additive, confirmed and licensed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) sodium propionate E281. We are planning the oral application of 500 mg SP 2x per day. This dose is about 0.014 mg/kg of the body weight. Therefore, no risk of toxicity is expected in the patients.

Study groups in NCT02976688
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sodium propionateExperimentalSodium propionate will be administered with a daily intake of 2 x 500 mg in form of capsules for 12 weeks.
Receives: Other: Sodium Propionate

What is being measured

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

  1. Variation from the beginning to the study end of serum inflammatory biomarkers

    endotoxin /lipopolysaccharide levels, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-10, IL-2, INFγ, TGFβ, IL-4, IL-1β, IL-17a and white blood cell count.

    Measured: 16 weeks

  2. Variation from the beginning to the study end of serum oxidative stress biomarkers

    glutathione peroxidase, malone dialdehyde

    Measured: 16 weeks

  3. Variation from the beginning to the study end of insulin resistance

    Determination of Homa Index (Homeostasis Model Assessment) by measurement fasting blood sugar and insulin level as well as hemoglobin HbA1c. IR appears to be as associated of metabolic disorders including lipid abnormalities, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and accelerated muscle protein degradation (Wang et al. 2006). IL is induced in particular by systemic inflammation.

    Measured: 16 weeks

  4. Variation from the beginning to the study end of serum lipid levels

    Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high and low density cholesterol

    Measured: 16 weeks

  5. Variation from the beginning to the study end of hormonal parameter

    Leptin, resistin, adiponectin and glucagon-like peptide -1.

    Measured: 16 weeks

  6. Variation from the beginning to the study end of uremic toxins produced in the intestinal tract

    p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine -N-oxide

    Measured: 16 weeks

  7. Variation from the beginning to the study end of nutritional status

    Serum albumin

    Measured: 16 weeks

  8. Variation from the beginning to the study end of parameters of well-being

    patient reported health (SF-36).

    Measured: 16 weeks

Timeline

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

  1. First posted29 Nov 2016 (estimated)
  2. Study startJan 2017
  3. Primary completionJul 2017 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2017 (estimated)

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 2/3
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
15 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02976688
Sponsor's protocol ID
ASL AVELLINO
Acronym
PLAN
Status last verified
Nov 2016
First submitted
15 Nov 2016
Last updated
29 Nov 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Vaziri ND, Wong J, Pahl M, Piceno YM, Yuan J, DeSantis TZ, Ni Z, Nguyen TH, Andersen GL. Chronic kidney disease alters intestinal microbial flora. Kidney Int. 2013 Feb;83(2):308-15. doi: 10.1038/ki.2012.345. Epub 2012 Sep 19.

    PubMed 22992469
  • Aronov PA, Luo FJ, Plummer NS, Quan Z, Holmes S, Hostetter TH, Meyer TW. Colonic contribution to uremic solutes. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Sep;22(9):1769-76. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2010121220. Epub 2011 Jul 22.

    PubMed 21784895
  • Barreto FC, Barreto DV, Liabeuf S, Meert N, Glorieux G, Temmar M, Choukroun G, Vanholder R, Massy ZA; European Uremic Toxin Work Group (EUTox). Serum indoxyl sulfate is associated with vascular disease and mortality in chronic kidney disease patients. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Oct;4(10):1551-8. doi: 10.2215/CJN.03980609. Epub 2009 Aug 20.

    PubMed 19696217
  • Ramezani A, Raj DS. The gut microbiome, kidney disease, and targeted interventions. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2014 Apr;25(4):657-70. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2013080905. Epub 2013 Nov 14.

    PubMed 24231662
  • Iraporda C, Errea A, Romanin DE, Cayet D, Pereyra E, Pignataro O, Sirard JC, Garrote GL, Abraham AG, Rumbo M. Lactate and short chain fatty acids produced by microbial fermentation downregulate proinflammatory responses in intestinal epithelial cells and myeloid cells. Immunobiology. 2015 Oct;220(10):1161-9. doi: 10.1016/j.imbio.2015.06.004. Epub 2015 Jun 10.

    PubMed 26101138
  • Vinolo MA, Rodrigues HG, Nachbar RT, Curi R. Regulation of inflammation by short chain fatty acids. Nutrients. 2011 Oct;3(10):858-76. doi: 10.3390/nu3100858. Epub 2011 Oct 14.

    PubMed 22254083
  • Maslowski KM, Vieira AT, Ng A, Kranich J, Sierro F, Yu D, Schilter HC, Rolph MS, Mackay F, Artis D, Xavier RJ, Teixeira MM, Mackay CR. Regulation of inflammatory responses by gut microbiota and chemoattractant receptor GPR43. Nature. 2009 Oct 29;461(7268):1282-6. doi: 10.1038/nature08530.

    PubMed 19865172
  • Richards JL, Yap YA, McLeod KH, Mackay CR, Marino E. Dietary metabolites and the gut microbiota: an alternative approach to control inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Clin Transl Immunology. 2016 May 13;5(5):e82. doi: 10.1038/cti.2016.29. eCollection 2016 May.

    PubMed 27350881
  • Vaziri ND. Oxidative stress in uremia: nature, mechanisms, and potential consequences. Semin Nephrol. 2004 Sep;24(5):469-73. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2004.06.026.

    PubMed 15490413
  • Anders HJ, Andersen K, Stecher B. The intestinal microbiota, a leaky gut, and abnormal immunity in kidney disease. Kidney Int. 2013 Jun;83(6):1010-6. doi: 10.1038/ki.2012.440. Epub 2013 Jan 16.

    PubMed 23325079
  • de Boer IH, Zelnick L, Afkarian M, Ayers E, Curtin L, Himmelfarb J, Ikizler TA, Kahn SE, Kestenbaum B, Utzschneider K. Impaired Glucose and Insulin Homeostasis in Moderate-Severe CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2016 Sep;27(9):2861-71. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2015070756. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

    PubMed 26823551
  • Vaziri ND, Pahl MV, Crum A, Norris K. Effect of uremia on structure and function of immune system. J Ren Nutr. 2012 Jan;22(1):149-56. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2011.10.020.

    PubMed 22200433
  • DeFronzo RA, Ferrannini E. Insulin resistance. A multifaceted syndrome responsible for NIDDM, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Diabetes Care. 1991 Mar;14(3):173-94. doi: 10.2337/diacare.14.3.173.

    PubMed 2044434
  • Wang X, Hu Z, Hu J, Du J, Mitch WE. Insulin resistance accelerates muscle protein degradation: Activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway by defects in muscle cell signaling. Endocrinology. 2006 Sep;147(9):4160-8. doi: 10.1210/en.2006-0251. Epub 2006 Jun 15.

    PubMed 16777975
  • Smith PM, Howitt MR, Panikov N, Michaud M, Gallini CA, Bohlooly-Y M, Glickman JN, Garrett WS. The microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, regulate colonic Treg cell homeostasis. Science. 2013 Aug 2;341(6145):569-73. doi: 10.1126/science.1241165. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

    PubMed 23828891

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2/3 study testing Sodium Propionate in people with Endstage Renal Disease, run by Azienda Sanitaria ASL Avellino 2.

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 2 inclusion and 1 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Nov 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. 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 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Phase 3 studies compare the treatment with the current standard treatment or a placebo in a large group, to confirm how well it works and watch for side effects.

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

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

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

Contact Biagio Di Iorio, Chief, PhD (00390825530366, br.diiorio@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Variation from the beginning to the study end of serum inflammatory biomarkers (time frame: 16 weeks). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT02976688, which also lists 33 linked publications.

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 29 Nov 2016.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in