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Acute Kidney Injury (Nontraumatic)NCT07467889

Impact of CRRT on Serum Carnitine and Micronutrient Levels

An observational study of Acute Kidney Injury (Nontraumatic) and Critical Illness, run by Gulhane Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to investigate the changes in blood levels of micronutrients and carnitine in critically ill patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) who are undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
How many people
43 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
1 Jan 2023to 15 Dec 2025
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: The study population consists of adult patients (aged 18-90 years) admitted to a 36-bed general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a tertiary education and research hospital. The population focuses on patients diagnosed with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Stage 2 or 3 according to the KDIGO clinical practice guidelines. Participants are selected from patients who require an evaluation for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) within the first hour of their ICU admission. The cohort includes a diverse range of critically ill patients, excluding those with end-stage chronic conditions or specific comorbidities that could confound the analysis of micronutrient clearance

Who may be able to join

  • Patients aged 18-90 years
  • Diagnosis of AKI Stage 2 or 3 according to KDIGO
  • Evaluation for CRRT requirement within the first hour of ICU admission.

Who cannot join

  • End-stage renal disease or history of chronic RRT
  • AKI due to dialyzable toxins,Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis
  • Terminal malignancy,AKI secondary to cardiac arrest
  • High risk of mortality within the first 24 hours
  • Prior RRT for the current AKI episode,History of kidney transplantation
  • Prior inclusion in this study
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Lack of informed consent from the patient or legal representative.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
  • Gulhane Training and Research Hospital, Intensive Care Clinic

    Ankara, keçiören, 06010

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: The Carnitine Dichotomy in CRRT: Dialytic Depletion of Short-Chain Fractions Versus Retention of Long-Chain Mitochondrial Biomarkers.

This study aims to investigate the changes in blood levels of micronutrients and carnitine in critically ill patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) who are undergoing Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT). While CRRT is a life-saving intervention for managing metabolic disturbances and fluid overload in patients with Stage 2-3 AKI, it may also lead to the inadvertent removal of essential micronutrients (vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids) through the extracorporeal circuit.

The research will prospectively compare 100 adult patients across two groups: those receiving CRRT and those managed without CRRT. Researchers will analyze blood samples and effluent fluid to determine the clearance rates and total losses of various substances, including carnitine, selenium, zinc, and various amino acids. By comparing levels at the first hour and 24th hour of intensive care admission, the study seeks to determine if CRRT significantly contributes to micronutrient deficiencies in this vulnerable population.

Read the detailed description

Background and Rationale:

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden loss of glomerular filtration rate and is a major factor increasing mortality and morbidity in hospitalized patients. In critically ill patients, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is frequently used to manage metabolic disturbances and fluid overload due to its advantages in hemodynamic stability. However, exposure to the extracorporeal circuit may lead to significant losses of micronutrients, including trace elements (e.g., selenium, zinc, copper) and water-soluble vitamins, which play crucial roles in cellular function and metabolism.

Study Objective:

The primary objective of this prospective study is to investigate the changes in serum and effluent (waste fluid) micronutrient levels in patients undergoing CRRT and to compare these levels with patients who have Stage 2-3 AKI but do not require CRRT.

Methodology and Procedures:

Study Setting and Design This prospective study was conducted in a 36-bed general Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a tertiary education and research hospital. Patients diagnosed with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Stage 2 or 3 according to the KDIGO guidelines were included. Within the first hour of ICU admission, patients were evaluated for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) requirement and divided into two groups: those receiving CRRT and those not receiving CRRT. The decision to initiate CRRT was made by the attending clinician independent of the study team.

Eligibility Criteria Inclusion criteria were:

Patients aged 18-90 years,Diagnosis of AKI Stage 2 or 3 according to KDIGO,Evaluation for CRRT requirement within the first hour of ICU admission.

Exclusion criteria included:End-stage renal disease or history of chronic RRT., AKI due to dialyzable toxins,Child-Pugh C liver cirrhosis,Terminal malignancy,AKI secondary to cardiac arrest,High risk of mortality within the first 24 hours,Prior RRT for the current AKI episode,History of kidney transplantation,Prior inclusion in this study,Pregnancy or breastfeeding,Lack of informed consent from the patient or legal representative.

Clinical Data and Sample Collection Demographic data (age, sex), APACHE-II and SOFA scores, BMI, and admission diagnoses were recorded. Routine laboratory parameters including serum albumin, total protein, creatinine, urea, electrolytes, CRP, and blood gas values (pH, bicarbonate, lactate) were measured at the 1st and 24th hours.For micronutrient analysis, blood samples were collected at the 1st hour of ICU admission for all patients. Subsequent sampling was performed at the 24th hour of CRRT for the treatment group and at the 24th hour of ICU stay for the non-CRRT group. Samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes and stored at -80°C. Analyzed parameters included:Trace elements: Selenium, zinc, copper, iron.Vitamins: Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, folate.Amino acids: 22 subforms including leucine, isoleucine, valine, and others.Carnitine: Various subforms.CRRT Procedure and Effluent Analysis All CRRT procedures were performed in Continuous Veno-venous Hemodialysis (CVVHD) mode at a dose of 30 mL/kg/hour. An Ultraflux AV1000S polysulfone filter (1.8 m2) was used. Anticoagulation was achieved with unfractionated heparin, and no ultrafiltration was applied during the study period. Dialysate flow rate (Qd) was maintained at 30% of the blood flow rate (Qb) to ensure ideal dialysate saturation, with Qb fixed between 100-140 mL/min.To calculate extracorporeal losses, 20 mL samples were collected from each effluent bag during the 24-hour CRRT period and stored at -80°C. Total loss was calculated by multiplying the concentration in each bag by its total volume. Due to instability under light and room temperature, vitamins (C and B12) were excluded from effluent analysis to avoid confounding results.

Being tested
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), Standard of Care (Non-CRRT Management)
Keywords
Acute Kidney Injury, Critical Illness, Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), Effluent Analysis
Medical subject headings
Acute Kidney Injury, Critical Illness

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)Procedure or surgery

    atients receive CRRT in Continuous Veno-venous Hemodialysis (CVVHD) mode with a target dose of 30 mL/kg/hour. The procedure uses a polysulfone Ultraflux AV1000S filter with a surface area of 1.8 m2. Anticoagulation is provided with unfractionated heparin. Blood flow rate (Qb) is set between 100-140 mL/min, and dialysate flow rate (Qd) is adjusted to 30% of Qb to ensure optimal saturation

  • Standard of Care (Non-CRRT Management)Other

    Patients with Stage 2-3 AKI who do not meet the criteria for CRRT or are managed with conservative medical therapy according to the attending clinician's decision. These patients receive routine ICU care without extracorporeal treatment.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Extracorporeal Clearance of Micronutrients and Carnitine

    Calculation of the clearance rates for trace elements (selenium, zinc, copper, iron), carnitine subforms, and 22 different amino acids by analyzing their concentrations in the blood and effluent (waste fluid) during the 24-hour Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) period.

    Measured: At the 24th hour of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Changes in Serum Carnitine Concentrations

    Comparison of serum levels of carnitine between the 1st hour of ICU admission and the 24th hour.

    Measured: Baseline (1st hour of admission) and 24 hours

  2. comparison of serum amino acid concentration

    comparison of serum amino acid concentration between first hour of intensive care unite admission and the 24th hour

    Measured: first hour of intensive care unite admission and the 24th hour

  3. comparison of serum vitamins(B12,folat) concentrations

    comparison of serum vitamins(B12,folat) concentration between first hour of intensive care admission and the 24 th hour

    Measured: first hour of intensive care admission and the 24 th hour

  4. The difference in micronutrient status between patients receiving and not receiving CRRT.

    Comparison of serum micronutrient, vitamin, and amino acid concentrations between the group receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) at a dose of 30 mL/kg/hour and the control group (non-CRRT ICU patients). This aims to isolate the effect of the CRRT filter on nutritional loss compared to standard ICU metabolic changes.

    Measured: 24 hours after hospital admission/start of treatment.

  5. Clinical Correlation

    Assessment of the relationship between micronutrient losses and clinical severity scores (APACHE-II, SOFA) and inflammatory markers (CRP).

    Measured: Through study completion (up to 24 hours)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Mar 2026
  2. Study start1 Jan 2023
  3. Primary completion15 Mar 2025
  4. Study completion15 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
43 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07467889
Sponsor's protocol ID
2022/24
Status last verified
Feb 2023
First submitted
20 Feb 2026
Last updated
16 Mar 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Fah M, Van Althuis LE, Ohnuma T, Winthrop HM, Haines KL, Williams DGA, Krishnamoorthy V, Raghunathan K, Wischmeyer PE. Micronutrient deficiencies in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Aug;50:247-254. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.05.008. Epub 2022 May 23.

    PubMed 35871932
  • Koekkoek KWA, Berger MM. An update on essential micronutrients in critical illness. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2023 Aug 1;29(4):315-329. doi: 10.1097/MCC.0000000000001062. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

    PubMed 37306546
  • Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, Amrein K, Augsburger M, Biesalski HK, Bischoff SC, Casaer MP, Gundogan K, Lepp HL, de Man AME, Muscogiuri G, Pietka M, Pironi L, Rezzi S, Cuerda C. ESPEN micronutrient guideline. Clin Nutr. 2022 Jun;41(6):1357-1424. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.015. Epub 2022 Feb 26.

    PubMed 35365361

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Acute Kidney Injury (Nontraumatic) and Critical Illness, run by Gulhane Training and Research Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

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 3 inclusion and 8 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Mar 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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. 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?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Extracorporeal Clearance of Micronutrients and Carnitine (time frame: At the 24th hour of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07467889, which also lists 3 linked publications.

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 16 Mar 2026.

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