This study hypothesizes that the administration of Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate in CKD patients with hyperkalemia while avoiding dietary potassium restriction will normalize their serum potassium levels. Additionally, we aim to assess the effects of a high potassium diet on renal function, endothelial function, acidosis, systemic inflammatory status and gut microbiota.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with better outcomes in CKD patients. However, the presence of hyperkalemia can prevent patients from increasing plant-based foods in their diets. While hyperkalemia can have severe health consequences in advanced CKD, the decreased consumption of plant-based foods can be associated with adverse health outcomes in this population. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a non-absorbed cation exchanger that selectively binds potassium in the intestine. This study plans to enroll CKD patients with an eGFR ≤45mL/min and a serum potassium ≥ 5mEq/L, administering SZC to achieve normokalemia, and provide them with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Endothelial function, inflammatory biomarkers and stool microbiota will be measured to assess the potential benefits of providing a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, albeit rich in potassium, in advanced CKD patients. Because these patients are usually restricting the intake of plant-based proteins and foods due to the concerns of hyperkalemia, eliminating this serious and potentially-life threatening clinical condition might carry health benefits, such as improved endothelial function and decreased inflammation
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), a non-absorbed cation exchanger, selectively binds potassium in the intestine. SZC is in a powder form and will be provided to patients in packets containing 5g or 10gm of the medication. Participants will mix the contents of one packet with water (about 45mL). The drink should be stirred and drank immediately. If powder remains in the glass, then water should be added and the remainder of the drink should be consumed. Other medications should be taken 2 hours before or after SZC. At Day 0 and Day 1, participants will be taking SZC at 10gm three times a day. A serum potassium will be checked on Day 2; if serum potassium is \<5.1mEq/L, then the dose will be decreased to the maintenance dose of 5gm per day. At each serum potassium checks, the medication dosage will be adjusted accordingly.
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Normalization of Serum Potassium level
Achieve a serum potassium level less than 5mEq/L
Time frame: 2 days
Change in Endothelial function
Improvement in endothelial function as measured by brachial artery ultrasound
Time frame: 15 days
Change in Acidosis (serum HCO3 levels)
Changes in acidosis measured by blood parameters
Time frame: 15 days
Systematic inflammatory status using serum biomarkers
Changes in inflammation measured by IL-6, CRP, Soluble urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Receptor (suPAR), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor (TNF-R), Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23)
Time frame: 15 days
Changes in gut microbiota using stool collections
We will perform 16S rRNA sequencing from stool samples to determine microbiota diversity and species determination.
Time frame: 15 days
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