Effect of Probiotic and Synbiotic Administration on Nutritional Status in Hemodialysis Patients

Effect of Probiotic and Synbiotic Administration on the Nutritional Status of Hemodialysis Patients. a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to investigate the impact of probiotics and synbiotics on the nutritional status of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) who are undergoing hemodialysis. ESRD patients often face challenges such as poor nutritional status, increased risk of infections, and imbalances in gut microbiota. These challenges are made worse by the frequent use of medications, dietary restrictions, and the hemodialysis process itself, which can disturb the gut's natural bacteria balance.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when taken in adequate amounts, while synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics (substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria). The goal of this study is to explore whether supplementing ESRD patients with probiotics or synbiotics can improve their nutritional health, including aspects like body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, and protein metabolism.

The study will involve 60 patients from a hemodialysis center in Mansoura, Egypt. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group will receive probiotics, another will receive synbiotics, and the third group will act as a control (no treatment). The study will evaluate changes in nutritional markers and other health parameters before and after six months of supplementation.

This study hopes to provide insights into new, cost-effective interventions for improving the health of patients undergoing long-term dialysis treatment by addressing the question of whether these supplements can improve the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients.

This randomized controlled trial is designed to assess the effects of probiotic and synbiotic supplementation on the nutritional status of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Patients with ESRD face significant health challenges, including malnutrition, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis (an imbalance in gut bacteria), which contribute to poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life. These complications are exacerbated by the impact of the hemodialysis process, medications, and dietary restrictions commonly imposed on patients.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. In contrast, synbiotics combine probiotics with prebiotics, which are compounds that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. The hypothesis of this study is that both probiotics and synbiotics will improve the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients by enhancing gut microbiota balance, reducing inflammation, and supporting better nutrient absorption.

Study Design: This study will be conducted at the Urology and Nephrology Center in Mansoura, Egypt. A total of 60 patients on regular hemodialysis will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

Control group (20 patients) - No intervention. Probiotic group (20 patients) - Receives daily probiotic supplementation (Lactogemikan from Pescado Company).

Synbiotic group (20 patients) - Receives daily synbiotic supplementation (Lactogemikan plus prebiotic fiber from oats).

Each group will receive supplementation for a duration of 6 months. The primary goal is to assess the effects of these interventions on the patients' nutritional status, including the monitoring of body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, protein catabolic rate (PCR), and subjective global assessment (SGA) of their nutritional health. Additionally, secondary outcomes will include laboratory assessments of serum albumin, cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose.

Methodology: The patients' nutritional parameters will be measured at the start of the study and again after 6 months of supplementation. To assess dialysis adequacy, parameters like the urea reduction ratio and Kt/V (a measure of dialysis efficiency) will be recorded before and after supplementation. These assessments will provide insights into whether probiotics and synbiotics can improve both nutritional markers and dialysis outcomes.

The data will be analyzed using statistical methods including one-way ANOVA, Pearson's and Spearman's correlation, and t-tests to determine the effectiveness of each intervention compared to the control group. The study will ensure the safety and well-being of all participants by monitoring for any adverse effects throughout the trial.

Ethical Considerations: The study will adhere to ethical standards, with approval from the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Mansoura Faculty of Medicine. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants, and their privacy and confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study.

Statistical Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SPSS software (version 26.0). Qualitative data will be presented as counts and percentages, while quantitative data will be presented as means ± standard deviations or medians and interquartile ranges depending on data distribution. Statistical significance will be set at a p-value of ≤ 0.05.

Conclusion: The results of this study will help determine whether probiotics or synbiotics can be used as an effective nutritional intervention for hemodialysis patients. By addressing gut microbiota imbalances and promoting better nutritional health, probiotics or synbiotics could potentially improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on regular hemodialysis (3 times per week).
• Age 18 years or older.
• Not prepared for kidney transplantation for more than 1 year.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are actively preparing for kidney transplantation.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Patients with active malignancy or undergoing cancer treatment.
• Patients with known structural gastrointestinal (GI) disease (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, severe gastrointestinal motility disorders).
• Patients who have severe infections or other severe conditions that might interfere with the study's assessments.
• Patients with known allergies to probiotics or synbiotics.