Synbiotic Supplementations for Azotemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive and irreversible impairment of kidney function; if it progresses to the end-stage of CKD, dialysis or kidney transplant is needed. In general, there are no definitive treatment to slow the progression of CKD. This study aimed to determine the effect of synbiotic supplementations on azotemia in patients with CKD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 66 patients with CKD (stages 3 and 4). The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive synbiotic supplement, 1000 mg/d, and placebo (2 capsules a day) for 6 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, blood parameters and kidney function were evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 66 patients studied, 16 patients (24.2%) were women and 50 (75.8%) were men. The mean age and body mass index of the participants were 61 ± 7.65 years and 28.52 ± 4.06 kg/m2, respectively. The level of blood urea nitrogen showed a significant reduction following the intake of synbiotic supplement (from 40.80 ± 22.11 mg/dL to 36.14 ± 20.52 mg/dL, P = .01). Serum creatinine, uric acid, and other indicators of kidney function showed no significant change.

CONCLUSIONS: The intake of synbiotic supplement could reduce blood urea nitrogen in patients with CKD in stages 3 and 4; however, it had no effect on the other markers of kidney function.