Clinical Research Directory

Can Changes in Dialysate Sodium Concentration Improve Blood Pressure and Endothelial Function in Chronic HD Patients?

People with end stage kidney disease cannot regulate salt and water normally, which often leads to high blood pressure, fluid overload, and a higher risk of heart disease. Hemodialysis is a life sustaining treatment that removes waste products, excess fluid, and electrolytes from the blood. However, the treatment itself can influence blood pressure and how the blood vessels function. Many patients experience symptoms such as thirst, headaches, fatigue, and swelling, which affect both daily well being and long term health. One possible way to reduce these problems may be as simple as adjusting the amount of sodium in the dialysis fluid. During dialysis, substances move between the patient's blood and the dialysate, the special fluid used in the machine. Sodium is one of the most important components because it helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. A higher sodium concentration in the dialysate can make patients feel more thirsty, cause them to drink more, and lead to fluid retention and higher blood pressure. On the other hand, lowering sodium too much can cause dizziness, low blood pressure, cramps, and discomfort during treatment. Because of this, there is ongoing debate about what the "right" sodium level should be. Too much sodium over time may also harm the blood vessels. The inner lining of the vessels, called the endothelium, is protected by a thin layer known as the glycocalyx. This layer helps prevent sodium from entering the vessel wall and supports the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and reduces inflammation. High salt exposure can damage the glycocalyx and reduce nitric oxide production, making the vessels stiffer and raising blood pressure. In dialysis patients, low nitric oxide levels are linked to worse outcomes and episodes of rising blood pressure during treatment. Some small studies suggest that lowering dialysate sodium can improve blood pressure and endothelial function, but larger studies have not shown clear effects on survival. This indicates that we still do not fully understand which patients benefit most or how sodium changes affect both physical and subjective symptoms. This study aims to fill these knowledge gaps by examining how a lower sodium concentration in the dialysate affects blood pressure, blood vessel function, fluid overload, inflammation, and patient reported symptoms. The goal is to provide new insights that could help tailor dialysis treatment to individual patients in a simple and cost effective way. The study will compare two sodium concentrations: a lower level (133 mmol/L) and the standard level used in many clinics (139 mmol/L). Twenty five patients receiving chronic in center hemodialysis will participate. Each patient will undergo both treatments for three weeks each, in random order, with a two week washout period in between. This crossover design allows each patient to serve as their own control, making it easier to detect meaningful differences. The main outcome is the difference in 24 hour systolic blood pressure between the two sodium levels. Secondary outcomes include changes in nitric oxide levels in the blood, measures of fluid overload using two different techniques, markers of inflammation, arterial stiffness, and patient reported symptoms such as thirst, fatigue, and overall well being. The study will also compare two methods for assessing fluid overload: bioimpedance spectroscopy and a newer carbon monoxide rebreathing technique. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness will be measured over 44 hours using a portable device. Blood samples will be collected to analyze nitric oxide, inflammatory markers, and sodium handling in red blood cells. Fluid status will be measured using both bioimpedance and the CO rebreathing method. Patients will complete a weekly questionnaire developed together with dialysis patients to capture their experiences and symptoms.

Outpatient Recovery From Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Dialysis - 2

Providing additional information to patients with acute kidney injury who continue dialysis after hospital discharge and to the accepting kidney doctor (nephrologist) who manages their dialysis may be feasible and beneficial. This study will pilot measuring the patient's residual kidney function at the time of discharge and communicating that result to the accepting nephrologist and the patient, along with information on recommended recovery monitoring frequency and criteria for consideration of a twice-weekly hemodialysis schedule.

Intradialytic Exercise With Blood Flow Restriction in Hemodialysis Patients

The main objective is to evaluate in hemodialysis patients the effects of two intradialytic rehabilitation programs based on physical exercise, with or without the application of blood flow restriction, on myocardial stunning and morpho-functional cardiac remodelling, compared with usual care (i.e., dialysis without exercise). In addition, the investigators will also assess the acute effects (i.e., a single session for each condition) of physical exercise, with or without blood flow restriction, on myocardial stunning at the end of dialysis. In comparison with a conventional exercise program, the combination of physical exercise with blood flow restriction, which synergistically and additively activates intramuscular signalling pathways related to both exercise and ischaemia, is hypothesised to result in: 1. A greater intradialytic cardioprotection, as demonstrated by a greater reduction in myocardial stunning at the end of dialysis (both in acute and chronic applications), with underlying mechanisms involving systemic and neuro-humoral pathways; 2. Significant improvements in morpho-functional cardiac remodelling, attenuation of arrhythmic disturbances, and enhancement of aerobic capacity, muscle strength, and muscle mass-effects not observed with exercise alone without blood flow restriction, considering the low exercise intensity used in the current rehabilitation program (chronic application only). This is a three-arm randomised clinical trial with parallel groups: standard hemodialysis (HD-CONTChro), a rehabilitation program with intradialytic exercise without vascular occlusion (HD-EXChro), and a rehabilitation program with intradialytic exercise with vascular occlusion (HD-BFREChro), with a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. To investigate the acute effects of the interventions, all patients will undergo, in a randomized order, one session of each of the three dialysis modalities-standard hemodialysis (HD-CONTacute), hemodialysis with exercise without vascular restriction (HD-EXacute), and hemodialysis with exercise with vascular restriction (HD-BFREacute)-prior to initiation of the chronic phase of the study.

Protein Supplementation During Dialysis (PROSED)

When a patient has dialysis some nutrients are lost in the process. Nutritional losses include protein, trace elements (i.e. zinc, copper and selenium) and water-soluble vitamins (Vitamins C and B). These nutrients are essential for normal body function, including a good immune system and nutritional status. For example, on average the protein losses during a dialysis session (the process where the blood is cleaned via a machine and special fluid) is equal to 6g of protein/day (which is the equivalent of the amount of protein in 1 egg). Protein needs for the general population are 0.8g protein per kg of body weight. Because people on dialysis lose protein via the dialysis, it is thought that these people need to eat more protein. Currently, in clinical practice for people receiving dialysis, the guidelines are to aim for 1.1 -1.4g of protein per kg of body weight. However, the research is old and very weak. Dialysis treatments have changed over the past 40 years, and the investigator does not know if the replacement of these nutritional losses is important to how well people do on dialysis and if they have any effect on survival. Previous research is mostly limited to haemodialysis (a type of dialysis that requires a machine which cleans the patients' blood via special filters) and peritoneal dialysis (this is a type of dialysis which happens via the patients' tummy). There is no research on the nutritional supplementation in home HD and nocturnal HD. Our research will investigate if a higher protein provision leads to a reduction is hospital admissions and improved outcomes in patients receiving dialysis.

Hypoxia-inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitors on Sarcopenia in Hemodialysis Patients

Sarcopenia, abbreviated as muscle loss, is a prevalent complication among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly those with end - stage renal disease (ESRD). It significantly impacts patients' quality of life. The prevalence of sarcopenia in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) ranges from 32.7% to 73.5%, which is substantially higher than that in the general population (5% - 13%). Sarcopenia significantly elevates the mortality risk in MHD patients. Specifically, sarcopenia patients experience an increased all - cause mortality rate, a heightened risk of cardiovascular events, a decline in quality of life, and an augmented risk of falls and fractures. A close pathophysiological relationship exists between the hypoxia - inducible factor - 1 (HIF - 1) pathway and sarcopenia. HIF - 1α serves as a key transcription factor for cells to respond to hypoxic conditions. Under normoxic conditions, HIF - 1α is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) and subsequently undergoes ubiquitination - mediated degradation. Conversely, under hypoxic circumstances, HIF - 1α is stably expressed, translocates into the nucleus, and activates downstream target genes. HIF - 1α promotes the expression of genes associated with glycolysis, such as GLUT1 and LDHA, while inhibiting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. This results in a shift of skeletal muscle energy metabolism from aerobic to anaerobic pathways. Research has revealed that the protein level of HIF - 1α is significantly decreased in sarcopenia patients. Roxadustat capsules, an oral medication, represent the world's first small - molecule hypoxia - inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF - PHI) developed for the treatment of renal anemia. The physiological function of HIF - 1α not only enhances the expression of erythropoietin but also upregulates the expression of erythropoietin receptors and proteins involved in promoting iron absorption and circulation. Theoretically, roxadustat has the potential to improve sarcopenia. However, due to its prominent effect on anemia correction, it is currently only clinically applicable to anemic patients. This study aims to use ESA as a control to investigate the effect of roxadustat on sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients during the treatment of renal anemia.

Haemodialysis Alters Hypercoagulability of Blood in Dialysis Patients

Primary Objective: To develop a thrombotic event risk assessment model integrating serum biomarkers (TM, TAT, t-PAIC, PIC) with clinical data, systematically compare its predictive performance across healthy populations, vascular surgery patients with acute thrombosis, and dialysis patients, and evaluate its predictive advantages over the Padua Prediction Score and D-dimer. Secondary Objective: To investigate the expression profiles of these four thrombotic biomarkers in different populations and their associations with thrombotic event types and clinical contexts (e.g., duration of dialysis, anticoagulation regimens), identifying independent risk factors and underlying mechanisms to provide a scientific foundation for stratified thrombotic risk management and personalized intervention strategies.

AI-Driven Prediction of Dialysis Outcome With EHR

This is a multi-center, clinical study designed to evaluate the application and effectiveness of an AI-assisted predictive model for outcome of dialysis patients, leveraging multimodal health data.