Recruitment challenges

Weight loss commonly occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), negatively influencing their quality of life, treatment response and survival. Loss of muscle protein is generally a central component of weight loss in CKD patients but patients also have reductions in fat mass and bone density, independent of the severity of the disease state. Attempts to reverse weight and muscle loss in CKD and improve nutritional status by nutritional supplementation have been unsuccessful and there are currently no approved therapies.

Purpose of this study is to provide detailed insight in disease related gut function by obtaining information on gut permeability, digestion and absorption of glucose, fat and protein in CKD patients compared to matched healthy controls. Additionally, to examine whether protein and amino acid metabolism is disturbed in CKD patients compared to healthy controls. This will provide required information that will lead to implement new strategies to develop optimal nutritional regimen in order to enhance nutritional status, quality of life and survival in relation to kidney disease.

This study involves one test day of approximately 7-8 hours. On this test day subjects will ingest a sugar drink to assess gut permeability and gut function, and a protein meal to measure digestion/absorption and the anabolic response to food intake. Subjects will also receive a mixture of amino acids that are made a little heavier than normal, called stable isotopes. This stable isotopes is used to investigate protein behavior in the body (protein kinetics). Blood (100-120 ml in total) and urine samples will be collected over 7.5 hours.

Inclusion criteria CKD subjects

• Ability to walk, sit down and stand up independently
• Age 55 years or older
• Ability to lie in supine or elevated position for 7 hours
• Diagnosis of kidney disease; undergoing hemodialysis
• Clinically stable condition; no hospitalization 4 weeks preceding first study day
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Inclusion criteria healthy subjects:

• Healthy male or female according to the investigator's or appointed staff's judgment
• Ability to walk, sit down and stand up independently
• Age 55 years or older (older control group)
• Ability to lay in supine or elevated position for 7 hours
• No diagnosis of CKD
• Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Exclusion Criteria all subjects:

• Any condition that may interfere with the definition 'healthy subject' according to the investigator's judgment (healthy subjects only)
• Established diagnosis of malignancy
• Established diagnosis of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
• History of untreated metabolic diseases including hepatic disorder
• Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
• Presence of fever within the last 3 days
• Body mass index >40 kg/m2 (healthy subjects only)
• Any other condition that would interfere with the study or safety of the patient (according to the PI or nurse)
• Use of protein or amino acid containing nutritional supplements within 5 days of first study day
• Use of long-term oral corticosteroids or short course of oral corticosteroids within 4 weeks preceding first study day
• Failure to give informed consent or Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject to comply with the protocol requirements
• (Possible) pregnancy