Probiotic dietary supplementation in patients with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease: a 6-month pilot scale trial in Canada

Aim: This was a pilot clinical trial to assess biochemical and clinical effects of an oral probiotic dietary supplement in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients (stages 3 and 4). Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial of probiotic bacteria was conducted in 16 outpatients in Ontario, Canada. Primary endpoints included effect on hematologic, biochemical, and fecal variables, and on general well-being as assessed by quality of life (QOL). These outcomes were evaluated from biochemical parameters, mainly blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, uric acid, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as a general inflammatory marker. QOL was assessed on a subjective scale of 1 to 10 as the secondary parameter. Trial registration: This pilot study forms part of registered