Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is the most common genetic disease leading to End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD), affecting between 1 in 500-1000 individuals from every ethnic group. The autosomal dominant (ADPKD) form arises from a two-hit downregulation of proteins encoded by either PKD1 or PKD2. Although many potential therapies have been studied to slow progression of ADPKD, none to date have been proven to be both safe and effective in slowing disease progression. Cholesterol-lowering agents called statins have shown promise in the treatment of younger ADPKD patients, reducing inflammation and progression as assessed by kidney growth, but their utility appears to be limited in older populations and those with more advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent evidence suggests that acidosis, as often seen in patients with worsening CKD and which may enhance CKD progression, limits the effectiveness of statins and enhances their potential toxicity. The investigators thus hypothesize that correction of acidosis along with statin treatment will be a safe and effective therapeutic regimen to slow CKD progression in the adult ADPKD population and improve overall quality of life in these patients. To test this hypothesis, the investigators will conduct a pilot open-label randomized clinical trial in ADPKD patients with estimated GFR \>45 min (Stage 1-3a CKD) comparing three treatment groups: control, atorvastatin (20 mg po qd), and atorvastatin plus sodium bicarbonate tablets (upto 1800mg po total daily dose) over one year. At the beginning of the study, the investigators will determine the genotype of the trial participants. During the study period, through study visits along with serial blood draws and urinary measurements, the investigators will evaluate safety and tolerability of these treatment regimens, follow renal function and investigate the role of these treatments on acidosis, inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers in patients enrolled at an outpatient facility. Serial follow-up imaging study will also be done in selected patients. This study will establish the framework for larger clinical trials in ADPKD. Moreover, if the results of this study suggest safety/tolerability or potential benefits of statins and alkali therapy in this ADPKD population, the investigators will seek extramural funding for a larger clinical trial to test this therapeutic strategy in ADPKD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Atorvastatin 20mg
Sodium bicarbonate would be titrated up to 1800mg per day according to metabolic acidosis severity during clinical follow-up
Shuang Ho Hospital
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Taipei Medical University Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
Wan Fang Hospital
Taipei, Taiwan
Changes in kidney function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on kidney function in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy: serum creatinine-derived estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by CKD-EPI equation, to evaluate kidney function.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in kidney function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on kidney function in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy: serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), to evaluate kidney function.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in kidney function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on kidney function in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy: serum sodium level (Na), to evaluate kidney function.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in kidney function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on kidney function in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy: serum potassium level (K), to evaluate kidney function.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in liver function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will test liver function test panels in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy. The liver function panel should be within normal limits for enrollment and continuation in the study. Liver function test with ALT will be evaluated at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in liver function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will test liver function test panels in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy. The liver function panel should be within normal limits for enrollment and continuation in the study. Liver function test with AST will be evaluated at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in liver function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will test liver function test panels in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy. The liver function panel should be within normal limits for enrollment and continuation in the study. Liver function test with total bilirubin will be evaluated at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in liver function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will test liver function test panels in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy. The liver function panel should be within normal limits for enrollment and continuation in the study. Liver function test with increase in prothrombin time will be evaluated at the end of the trial.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in muscle injury marker function in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on creatine phospho kinase (CPK) in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in muscle tenderness in patients enrolled in the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on muscle tenderness in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy. The physical exam will evaluate tenderness to palpation in major muscle groups such as leg, arm and back muscles. It will be graded as presence or absence. The patients will only be enrolled if there is absence of tenderness in muscles upon palpation on physical exam. If there is tenderness on exam or the patient reports tenderness that is then confirmed by exam the patient will be removed from the study.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in blood pressure in patients enrolled in different arms of the study
The investigators will estimate the effect of Atorvastatin and NaHCO3 on blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) in patients with ADPKD compared to Atorvastatin alone or Standard therapy
Time frame: 12 months
Urinary alkalinization changes
These parameters will be ascertained by measurements of urinary pH.
Time frame: 12 months
Inflammatory markers in blood and urine
The investigators will assess inflammatory markers (interleukins, prostaglandins and other cytokines) in leukocytes, plasma, and urine in the different study groups. The biomarkers that will be measured are HETE / HODE species phospho-AMPK Inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers: NGAL, KIM1 in blood and urine.
Time frame: 12 months
AMPK pathway activation
The investigators will determine whether and to what extent the AMPK pathway is activated in leukocytes and urine derived from patients in the study groups at the different study visits. Concentration of AMPK pathway-related metabolites in serum and urine would be measured (Creatinine, Osmolality, Lactate, Pyruvate, Succinate, Total Protein, PKM2, LDHA, PDK1).
Time frame: 12 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.