Active clinical trials for "Renal Insufficiency, Chronic"

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic low grade inflammation, which is worsened by the co-existence of renal failure. One key aspect of chronic inflammatory diseases is the alteration in the polarization profile of circulating monocyte-macrophage cells. Namely, monocytes-macrophages can exist in a pro-inflammatory (M1) polarized form or an anti-inflammatory (M2) polarized state. Alterations in the M1/M2 balance is thought to contribute to inflammation within atherosclerotic lesions and visceral adipose tissue which, in turn, can worsen cardiovascular disease and metabolic features in type 2 diabetic patients. M1 and M2 are regulated by a complex interplay of soluble signaling molecules, many of which are substrate of the enzyme DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4). Therefore, inhibition of DPP-4 can affect the M1/M2 polarization balance. In this clinical trial, the investigators will test whether the DPP-4 inhibitor Linagliptin, compared to placebo, modifies the M1/M2 balance in type 2 diabetic patients with and without chronic renal failure. In addition, we will test whether DPP-4 inhibition with Linagliptin acutely affects endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which are vasculoprotective cells implicated in the pathobiology of diabetic complications.

Forced blockade of the renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) by using direct renin inhibition (DRI) has long been propagated to effectuate beneficial outcomes. However, recent large clinical trials have outlined harmful effects for DRI in combination with other forms of RAS blockade. To date, information regarding DRI as RAS-blocking monotherapy is very limited. Furthermore, it remains to be elucidated how DRI and angiotensin receptor blockers affect the so-called 'classical' and 'alternative' RAS molecularly. As components of the 'alternative' RAS (e.g. Ang 1-7) have moved into research focus, it would be of importance to determine angiotensin regulation with medical RAS blockade. In this prospective, single-center randomized trial over 10 weeks, 24 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage III-IV (eGFR 15-59 ml/min) will be randomized to take either aliskiren (up to 300 mg per day) or candesartan (up to 16 mg per day) after a two week run-in phase where all RAS-blockers are eliminated. The investigators will then employ a novel mass spectrometry-based quantification method (after run-in and 10 weeks) to capture the concentrations of ten different angiotensin peptides (including angiotensin I and II, angiotensin 1-7 and angiotensin 1-5). The investigators hypothesize that significant differences exist between angiotensin levels in CKD patients with DRI compared to angiotensin receptor blockers. Specifically, the investigators expect to determine the regulation of the alternative RAS represented by angiotensin 1-7 with proximal versus distal blockade of the system. Our data might contribute to a more profound understanding of results from registries and clinical trials beyond the clinical effects of RAS blockade. Further, the study's results might help to individualize and optimize RAS-blocking therapy strategies in CKD patients.

The purpose of the study is to validate a new reference marker for evaluation of renal function (glomerular filtration rate).

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of CLP on serum potassium and signs and symptoms of fluid overload in heart failure patients with chronic kidney disease.

This is a randomized double blinded placebo control studies are performed in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients. After informed consent, intervention group receives probiotics containing 109 CFU B. bifidum, B.catenulatum, B. longum, and L.plantarm), while placebo group receives corn starch. In the first year the investigators examine the 60 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, in the second year the investigators do the 60 hemodialysis (HD) patients, and in the third year the investigators do the 60 stage 3 and 4 CKD patients. Primary endpoint is cardiovascular event, gastrointestinal symptoms, peritonitis in PD patients, and progression of stage 3 and 4 CKD. Values are compared between the groups by unpaired t test. X2 testis used to compare proportions between the groups. Relative risk and the number needed to treat, both with 95% CI, are used to describe the treatment effect of probiotics. A p value less than 0•05 is regarded as statistically significant.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and PK following a single administration of BPS804 in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5D (CKD-5D) on hemodialysis.

The aim of the study is to assess the effects of the drug lanthanum carbonate (a phosphorus binder drug) on c-terminal and on FGF23 levels in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Targeting FGF23 measurement in CKD patients may impact both the progression of kidney disease and patient mortality.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the commonest cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Reasons for the greater incidence of CVD in this group include traditional CVD risk factors of hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes but more importantly also include non-traditional risk factors such as calcium and phosphate imbalance. The latter is thought most likely to contribute to vascular calcification, especially for those on dialysis, and this in turn leads to arterial stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy, the two commonest cardiovascular complications. Arterial stiffness and calcification have been found to be independent predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CKD. Few studies, though, have looked at both structural and functional changes associated with calcification and there have been very few interventional studies addressing this issue. Control of calcium and phosphate levels in CKD can occur with the use of medications that reduce elevated serum phosphate (phosphate binders, mostly calcium-based) and those to treat hyperparathyroidism (vitamin D and more recently calcium sensing receptor agonists called calcimimetics). These pharmacological managements addressing calcium and phosphate imbalance reduce vascular calcification and CVD. Bisphosphonate therapy may also have a role in reduction of calcification. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is common in CKD patients and predicts increased fracture risk similar to the general population. Bisphosphonate therapy improves BMD and lowers the fracture risk. Bisphosphonates may also have a role in secondary hyperparathyroidism to reduce hypercalcemia and allow for more aggressive calcitriol treatment. Recent studies have addressed the possibility of bisphosphonates reducing the progression of vascular calcification in CKD and revealed that the extent of calcification may be suppressed in association with a reduction in chronic inflammatory responses. The investigators aim to perform a prospective, randomised study assessing the impact of alendronate on cardiovascular and bone mineral parameters. This will be a single-centre study involving subjects with CKD Stage 3 (those patients with GFR between 30 and 59ml/min). Arterial stiffness (by pulse wave analysis and pulse wave velocity) and vascular calcification (using CT scans through superficial femoral artery) will be followed as well as serum markers of calcium, phosphate and PTH. Differences in these end-points will be compared between participants taking alendronate and those not. The study will be conducted over a 12 month period and the investigators aim to recruit about 50 patients (25 on alendronate and 25 control).

Treatment with growth hormone (GH; a hormone made by the body that stimulates growth) has been shown to be helpful in treating children with chronic kidney disease who fail to grow. The amount of growth that is seen in children treated with growth hormone varies widely for unknown reasons. Growth hormone works by producing another hormone in the liver called insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1 for short. IGF-1 stimulates the bones to grow. The amount of IGF-1 in the blood may directly affect the amount of growth in each child. At this time, growth hormone therapy in children depends on giving a certain dose of growth hormone for each child based on his or her weight. If after 3-6 months on this dose of growth hormone the change in height is not enough, then the dose of growth hormone is increased until enough growth is seen. This method of dosing of growth hormone may take a long time and is complicated and time-consuming. The purpose of this study is to measure the amount of IGF-1 produced by the body as a result of giving 2 different doses of growth hormone in children for 7 days only. The study investigator hopes to find the most favorable level of IGF-1 generated after 7 days of growth hormone that correlates with good growth of children with kidney disease. Then instead of dosing growth hormone by weight, like is done now, researchers can dose growth hormone by the amount of IGF-1 that the body produces. Being able to dose more effectively will save valuable time for the child to grow and will shorten the overall duration of growth hormone therapy. The investigators will also determine the effect of inflammatory cytokines Il-6 and TNF-alpha on growth hormone insensitivity and hence IGF-1 generation test in the same population.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that Iodixanol 320 is associated with a lower incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) when compared with hyperosmolar contrast medium Iomeprol 350 in patients with impaired renal function undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).