CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5DPro-KidsNCT05858437
Impact of Propionic Acid on Regulatory T Cell Function in Children With CKD
A study testing Sodium propionate in people with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5D, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
Pro-Kids is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled intervention study in children with chronic kidney disease. The investigators address the effect of a dietary food supplementation of propionic acid on the immune system and the function of the intestinal barrier in CKD patients treated with… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 20 years
- Conditions the study is for
- CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5D
- What is being tested?
- Sodium propionate
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2024to Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 20 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Body weight: > 30kg
- CKD G5 treated with hemodialysis
- Continuous hemodialysis treatment for > 3 months
- Clinical stable condition
- Manifestation of CKD within childhood (<18 years)
Who cannot join
- Disease or dysfunctions, which disqualifies the patient
- Incapacity of contract or any other circumstances, which prohibit the patient or his legal guardians from understanding setup, meaning and entity of the study
- Acute infections
- Immunosuppressive therapy within the last 12 weeks before the start of the study
- Pre-/pro- or postbiotic or antibiotic therapy within the last 4 weeks before the start of the study
- Planned or unplanned hospitalization within in last 4 weeks before the start of the study or during study
Show all 11Show fewer
- Malignant diseases
- Pregnancy
- chronic gastrointestinal or hepatic diseases (for example chronic inflammatory bowel disease
- alcohol- or drug abuse
- parallel participation on other interventional trials
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Germany1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Nephrology and Metabolic Diseases, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, 13353
Johannes Holle, MD
Dominik Müller, MD
About this study
Official title: Impact of Propionic Acid on Regulatory T Cell Function in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease
Pro-Kids is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled intervention study in children with chronic kidney disease. The investigators address the effect of a dietary food supplementation of propionic acid on the immune system and the function of the intestinal barrier in CKD patients treated with hemodialysis.
Read the detailed description
Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease progression in CKD, irrespective of confounding comorbidities. Based on current knowledge, microbially-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA) play an important role in the regulation of chronic inflammatory processes in CKD patients. Children with CKD are known to have reduced serum levels of the SCFA propionic acid (PA), as a consequence of both gut microbial dysbiosis and reduced fiber intake. In animal and human studies the impact of PA on function and abundance of regulatory T cells (Treg) has been demonstrated. Consequently, the investigators aim to normalize the PA serum levels by oral PA food supplementation in hemodialysis patients in order to mitigate chronic inflammation.
- Conditions
- CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5D
- Being tested
- Sodium propionate, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Sodium propionateDietary supplement
The patients will be randomized to PA or placebo intervention (2:1 randomization).
After the intervention of 28 days, we conduct an open-label study phase, where all patients are offered a dietary supplement of PA for overall 12 weeks (8 additional weeks for the intervention group and 12 weeks for the placebo group).
By doing so we are giving every patient the opportunity to take PA and benefit from the possible positive impact on immunsystem and intestinal barrier function.
PlaceboOther
The patients will be randomized to PA or placebo intervention (2:1 randomization).
After the intervention of 28 days, we conduct an open-label study phase, where all patients are offered a dietary supplement of PA for overall 12 weeks (8 additional weeks for the intervention group and 12 weeks for the placebo group).
By doing so we are giving every patient the opportunity to take PA and benefit from the possible positive impact on immunsystem and intestinal barrier function.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| PA Intervention | Experimental | The group which receives the PA as a dietary food supplement. A single capsule contains 500mg of sodiumpropionate, which is taken twice daily for 28 days. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Sodium propionate |
| Placebo Intervention | Placebo comparator | The control-group receives a placebo instead of propionate. The placebo contains maltodextrin and the same amount of sodium chloride as compared to the PA intervention. The placebo is taken twice per day for 28 days. Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in count of regulatory T-cells from baseline to week 4
Analysis of Treg counts in whole blood (absolute quantification) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; relative quantification) by flow cytometry.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0) in comparison to week 4
Secondary outcomes (9)
Propionic acid serum levels and targeted metabolomics
Analysis of PA serum levels and other microbially-derived metabolites by GC-MS and LC-MS
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Immune cell phenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)
Patients PBMC will be thawed and immune cells we be analyzed using multicolor flow cytometry and mass cytometry. By using a broad range of different antibodies combined in several panels the investigators will analyse distinct T cell subtypes including markers of activation, but also other immune cells (including B cells, dendritic cells, monocytes, natural killer cells). Data will reported in relation to parent populations (e.g. T heller cells in % of T cells).
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
T regulatory cell (Treg) suppression assay
The suppressive capacity of patients Treg will be analyzed by co-cultivation with conventional, stimulated T cells (Tconv) in different proportions (Treg:Tconv). The proliferation of Tconv will be reported.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Single cell RNA sequencing of immune cells
Analysis of the transcriptome of immune cells using cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes (CITEseq)
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Intestinal barrier function
Analysis of biomarkers for intestinal barrier function, such as sCD14, zonulin-1 and LPS
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Taxonomy of the fecal microbiome
The taxonomy of the fecal microbiome will be anayzed using 16S RNA amplicon sequencing.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Cardiovascular Phenotyping
Analysis of heart rate over time.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Cardiovascular Phenotyping
Analysis of blood pressure over time.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Cholesterol levels
Cholesterol levels will be assessed using standard clinical lab values.
Measured: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 May 2023
- Study start15 Jan 2024
- Primary completionSep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionApr 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5DStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Charite University, Berlin, GermanyThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital, Essen, University Hospital of Cologne, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Johannes Benjamin Holle, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05858437
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EA2/195/22
- Acronym
- Pro-Kids
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 25 Apr 2023
- Last updated
- 18 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Propionic Acid on Regulatory T Cell Function in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05858437
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Pro-Kids / EA2/195/22
- Conditions
- CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5D
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Charite University, Berlin, GermanyUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University Hospital Heidelberg, University Hospital, Essen, University Hospital of Cologne, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Apr 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 May 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Pro-Kids is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled intervention study in children with chronic kidney disease. The investigators address the effect of a dietary food supplementation of propionic acid on the immune system and the function of the intestinal barrier in CKD patients treated with hemodialysis.
Detailed description
Chronic inflammation is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease progression in CKD, irrespective of confounding comorbidities. Based on current knowledge, microbially-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA) play an important role in the regulation of chronic inflammatory processes in CKD patients. Children with CKD are known to have reduced serum levels of the SCFA propionic acid (PA), as a consequence of both gut microbial dysbiosis and reduced fiber intake. In animal and human studies the impact of PA on function and abundance of regulatory T cells (Treg) has been demonstrated. Consequently, the investigators aim to normalize the PA serum levels by oral PA food supplementation in hemodialysis patients in order to mitigate chronic inflammation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| PA Intervention | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Sodium propionateThe group which receives the PA as a dietary food supplement. A single capsule contains 500mg of sodiumpropionate, which is taken twice daily for 28 days. |
| Placebo Intervention | Placebo comparator | Other: PlaceboThe control-group receives a placebo instead of propionate. The placebo contains maltodextrin and the same amount of sodium chloride as compared to the PA intervention. The placebo is taken twice per day for 28 days. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 20 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Body weight: > 30kg
- CKD G5 treated with hemodialysis
- Continuous hemodialysis treatment for > 3 months
- Clinical stable condition
- Manifestation of CKD within childhood (<18 years)
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- Disease or dysfunctions, which disqualifies the patient
- Incapacity of contract or any other circumstances, which prohibit the patient or his legal guardians from understanding setup, meaning and entity of the study
- Acute infections
- Immunosuppressive therapy within the last 12 weeks before the start of the study
- Pre-/pro- or postbiotic or antibiotic therapy within the last 4 weeks before the start of the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium propionateThe patients will be randomized to PA or placebo intervention (2:1 randomization). After the intervention of 28 days, we conduct an open-label study phase, where all patients are offered a dietary supplement of PA for overall 12 weeks (8 additional weeks for the intervention group and 12 weeks for the placebo group). By doing so we are giving every patient the opportunity to take PA and benefit from the possible positive impact on immunsystem and intestinal barrier function. | Dietary supplement | PA Intervention |
| PlaceboThe patients will be randomized to PA or placebo intervention (2:1 randomization). After the intervention of 28 days, we conduct an open-label study phase, where all patients are offered a dietary supplement of PA for overall 12 weeks (8 additional weeks for the intervention group and 12 weeks for the placebo group). By doing so we are giving every patient the opportunity to take PA and benefit from the possible positive impact on immunsystem and intestinal barrier function. | Other | Placebo Intervention |
Primary outcome
Change in count of regulatory T-cells from baseline to week 4
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0) in comparison to week 4
Analysis of Treg counts in whole blood (absolute quantification) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; relative quantification) by flow cytometry.
9 secondary outcomes
Propionic acid serum levels and targeted metabolomics
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Immune cell phenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
T regulatory cell (Treg) suppression assay
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Single cell RNA sequencing of immune cells
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Intestinal barrier function
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Taxonomy of the fecal microbiome
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 4
Cardiovascular Phenotyping
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Cardiovascular Phenotyping
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Cholesterol levels
Time frame: Baseline visit (week 0); Week 2; Week 4; Week 12
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Feb 2025.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Sodium propionate in people with CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) Stage 5D, run by Charite University, Berlin, Germany at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Johannes Holle, Dr. med. (004930450516012, johannes-benjamin.holle@charite.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in count of regulatory T-cells from baseline to week 4 (time frame: Baseline visit (week 0) in comparison to week 4). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Feb 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 1 Nov 2026.