Active clinical trials for "Kidney Diseases"

The investigators hypothesize that, LPD supplemented with ketoanalogs will reduce urine podocyte loss and lower the angiotensinogen level in the urine.

Our preliminary studies have demonstrated that an innovative new design of the hemodialysis venous needle (the needle that returns the cleaned blood from the hemodialysis filter to the patient) with three jets is superior to the standard venous needle because it decreases the velocity and turbulence of the blood when compared with the standard venous needle, it is more efficient in the removal of toxins from the blood, and it is safe and effective. More importantly, our preliminary studies suggested that the new needle causes less damage to the dialysis vascular access and to circulating blood cells and less inflammation and oxidative stress. These will decrease medical complications, the high cost of care and death in dialysis patients. The current study will corroborate the finding of previous studies.

The investigators test the renal and cardiovascular protective effects dextromethorphan and silymarin on patients with the proteinuric chronic kidney diseases, who enrolled in our clinical trial, had progressing kidney diseases and merit aggressive anti-inflammatory therapy.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher blood pressures than the general population. They also tend to have protein leaking into the urine (proteinuria). CKD, high blood pressure and proteinuria independently and together increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening) of the arteries that leads to diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Although there are a number of drugs available that lower blood pressure, these are not always fully effective. Furthermore, there are even fewer drugs that simultaneously lower blood pressure, reduce proteinuria, and slow down kidney damage in CKD. Recent research has shown that drugs like sitaxsentan not only lower blood pressure but also reduce proteinuria and potentially slow down the progression of CKD [1,2]. Before sitaxsentan can become freely available to individuals with CKD it is important to look at the effects this drug could have on proteinuria and blood pressure. Goddard J, Johnston NR, Hand MF, et al. Endothelin-A receptor antagonism reduces blood pressure and increases renal blood flow in hypertensive patients with chronic renal failure: a comparison of selective and combined endothelin receptor blockade. Circulation 2004;109:1186-1193. Krum H, Viskoper RJ, Lacourciere Y et al. The effect of an endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, on blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. New Engl J Med 1998;338:784-790.

This phase II study examines the safety and efficacy of combination therapy for hypertension in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). This study examines the safety and efficacy of combination therapy by imidapril (ACEI) or cilnidipine (CCB) in ADPKD patients whose blood pressure is not controlled under 120/80 mmHg by candesartan (ARB) alone.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is effective in the treatment of depression in patients with end-stage renal disease in hemodialysis therapy

Currently, the treatment options of recurrent IgA nephropathy (IgAN) are conflicting and largely based on expert opinions. Consequently, the recent KDIGO clinical practice guideline for the care of kidney transplant recipients has concluded that there are no definite strategies for prevention and treatment. However, recurrent IgAN in the transplanted kidney is common and may contribute to graft loss, in particular, if cresentic formation, extra- or endocapillary proliferation were presented in kidney pathology. Herein, the investigators assume that rituximab, anti-CD20 Ab agent, can reduce circulating IgA with subsequently decrease rate of polymeric forms of IgA deposition in glomerular capillaries. Therefore, the investigators speculate that rituximab may have potential effect to reduce circulating polymeric forms of IgA and slow progression of recurrent IgAN.

In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) cardiovascular and infectious complications are common. The gut microbiome might play an important pathophysiological role. ESRD is hypothesized to be associated with profound alterations of gut microbiome and gut permeability. The investigators aim to test whether a multispecies probiotic mixture is able to revert the microbiome changes and decrease gut permeability. Furthermore the investigators aim to test whether this improvement in microbiome composition and gut permeability is also associated with improvements in endotoxemia, uremia and cardiovascular risk factors.

Multicentre, prospective, observational post-market registry. To monitor and collect data on the post-market clinical safety and performance of the Vascutek Rapidax II Vascular Access Graft.

The purpose of this research study is to study the effect of fish oil and bicarbonate (baking soda) on exercise. In this study fish oil, bicarbonate or both will be compared to placebo to see if study participants increase exercise capacity.