Kidney Transplant DonorMedDiet_KTNCT07740928
MedDiet in Kidney Transplant Recipients
A study testing MedDiet in people with Kidney Transplant Donor and Diet Habit, run by University Medical Centre Ljubljana at 1 site in Slovenia.
Trial summary
In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of diet and lifestyle factors in influencing graft function and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). Among the dietary patterns investigated, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is among most studied diets in KT recipients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Kidney Transplant Donor, Diet Habit
- What is being tested?
- MedDiet
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 23 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSlovenia
- Study dates
- 1 May 2023to 1 Jan 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 to 45 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 18 years old
- male
- kidney transplant recipient
Who cannot join
- body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m²
- age > 45 years
- female sex
- serum creatinine > 250 µmol/L,
- a MEDAS score ≥ 10 points, and systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: 6-Week Mediterranean Diet Intervention on Dietary Adherence, Body Composition, and Physical Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of diet and lifestyle factors in influencing graft function and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). Among the dietary patterns investigated, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is among most studied diets in KT recipients. Data from observational studies show that greater adherence to the MedDiet is beneficial in kidney transplant recipients and is associated with improved lipid profile, lower oxidative stress, less frequent new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation, metabolic syndrome, better kidney function, and mortality. Unfortunately, adherence to MedDiet in kidney transplant recipients is low, and ranges between 25 % and 44.7%. Data from a Dutch cross-sectional study showed that higher levels of food literacy are associated with better adherence to MedDiet. Nevertheless, evidence from randomized dietary interventions aimed at improving MedDiet adherence in this population remains limited. Therefore, the aim of our pilot randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether a six-week MedDiet intervention could improve adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and to explore the effects of MedDiet on body composition and physical function. We conducted an interventional, randomized study at the Kidney Transplantation Centre, Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The intervention duration was six weeks and was performed by a Master's student in nutrition. We included kidney transplant recipients undergoing regular follow-up at the Kidney Transplantation Centre. Patients were invited to participate verbally via telephone contact one week prior to their scheduled physician appointment. Participation was voluntary and confirmed by a signed informed consent. The following exclusion criteria were applied: body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m², age > 45 years, female sex, serum creatinine > 250 µmol/L, a MEDAS score ≥ 10 points, and systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg. Patients were randomized to the intervention and control group.
The primary study outcome was the MEDAS score. Secondary outcomes were lean tissue index (LTI; kg/m²), fat tissue index (FTI; kg/m²), handgrip strength (kg), and chair-stand performance (number of repetitions).
- Conditions
- Kidney Transplant Donor, Diet Habit
- Being tested
- MedDiet
- Keywords
- Mediterranean Diet, lifestyle, kidney transplantation
- Medical subject headings
- Feeding Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MedDietBehavioural
intervention with Mediterranean Diet
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention (MedDiet) group | Experimental | Med Diet group Receives: Behavioral: MedDiet |
| Control arm | No intervention | No specific dietary intervention |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS)
adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was measured using the MEDAS before and after the 6 week intervention
Measured: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
lean tissue index (LTI; kg/m²)
Measured: 6 weeks
fat tissue index (FTI; kg/m²)
Measured: 6 weeks
handgrip strength (kg)
Measured: 6 weeks
chair-stand test
30-second chair-stand performance (number of repetitions)
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Aug 2026
- Study start1 May 2023
- Primary completion31 Oct 2023
- Study completion1 Jan 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Kidney Transplant DonorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Medical Centre LjubljanaThe 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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Medical Centre Ljubljana
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tanja Belčič Mikič, University Medical Centre Ljubljana
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740928
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0120-375/2023/3
- Acronym
- MedDiet_KT
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Billany RE, Bishop NC, Castle EM, Graham-Brown MPM, Greenwood SA, Lightfoot CJ, Wilkinson TJ. Physical activity interventions in adult kidney transplant recipients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ren Fail. 2025 Dec;47(1):2480246. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2025.2480246. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
PubMed 40148080Ying T, Shi B, Kelly PJ, Pilmore H, Clayton PA, Chadban SJ. Death after Kidney Transplantation: An Analysis by Era and Time Post-Transplant. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Dec;31(12):2887-2899. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2020050566. Epub 2020 Sep 9.
PubMed 32908001Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Knoll G, Bello A, Browne S, Jadhav D, Klarenbach S, Gill J. Systematic review: kidney transplantation compared with dialysis in clinically relevant outcomes. Am J Transplant. 2011 Oct;11(10):2093-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03686.x. Epub 2011 Aug 30.
PubMed 21883901
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- 6-Week Mediterranean Diet Intervention on Dietary Adherence, Body Composition, and Physical Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07740928
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MedDiet_KT / 0120-375/2023/3
- Conditions
- Kidney Transplant Donor, Diet Habit
- Keywords
- Mediterranean Diet, lifestyle, kidney transplantation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 23 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Medical Centre LjubljanaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jan 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 3 Aug 2026 (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.
In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of diet and lifestyle factors in influencing graft function and patient survival after kidney transplantation (KT). Among the dietary patterns investigated, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is among most studied diets in KT recipients. Data from observational studies show that greater adherence to the MedDiet is beneficial in kidney transplant recipients and is associated with improved lipid profile, lower oxidative stress, less frequent new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation, metabolic syndrome, better kidney function, and mortality. Unfortunately, adherence to MedDiet in kidney transplant recipients is low, and ranges between 25 % and 44.7%. Data from a Dutch cross-sectional study showed that higher levels of food literacy are associated with better adherence to MedDiet. Nevertheless, evidence from randomized dietary interventions aimed at improving MedDiet adherence in this population remains limited. Therefore, the aim of our pilot randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether a six-week MedDiet intervention could improve adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and to explore the effects of MedDiet on body composition and physical function. We conducted an interventional, randomized study at the Kidney Transplantation Centre, Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The intervention duration was six weeks and was performed by a Master's student in nutrition. We included kidney transplant recipients undergoing regular follow-up at the Kidney Transplantation Centre. Patients were invited to participate verbally via telephone contact one week prior to their scheduled physician appointment. Participation was voluntary and confirmed by a signed informed consent. The following exclusion criteria were applied: body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m², age > 45 years, female sex, serum creatinine > 250 µmol/L, a MEDAS score ≥ 10 points, and systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg. Patients were randomized to the intervention and control group.
The primary study outcome was the MEDAS score. Secondary outcomes were lean tissue index (LTI; kg/m²), fat tissue index (FTI; kg/m²), handgrip strength (kg), and chair-stand performance (number of repetitions).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention (MedDiet) group | Experimental | Behavioral: MedDietMed Diet group |
| Control arm | No intervention | –No specific dietary intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 18 years old
- male
- kidney transplant recipient
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m²
- age > 45 years
- female sex
- serum creatinine > 250 µmol/L,
- a MEDAS score ≥ 10 points, and systolic blood pressure > 160 mmHg
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MedDietintervention with Mediterranean Diet | Behavioural | Intervention (MedDiet) group |
Primary outcome
Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS)
Time frame: 6 weeks
adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was measured using the MEDAS before and after the 6 week intervention
4 secondary outcomes
lean tissue index (LTI; kg/m²)
Time frame: 6 weeks
fat tissue index (FTI; kg/m²)
Time frame: 6 weeks
handgrip strength (kg)
Time frame: 6 weeks
chair-stand test
Time frame: 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 40148080Billany RE, Bishop NC, Castle EM, Graham-Brown MPM, Greenwood SA, Lightfoot CJ, Wilkinson TJ. Physical activity interventions in adult kidney transplant recipients: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ren Fail. 2025 Dec;47(1):2480246. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2025.2480246. Epub 2025 Mar 27.
- Background: PubMed 32908001Ying T, Shi B, Kelly PJ, Pilmore H, Clayton PA, Chadban SJ. Death after Kidney Transplantation: An Analysis by Era and Time Post-Transplant. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2020 Dec;31(12):2887-2899. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2020050566. Epub 2020 Sep 9.
- Results publication: PubMed 21883901Tonelli M, Wiebe N, Knoll G, Bello A, Browne S, Jadhav D, Klarenbach S, Gill J. Systematic review: kidney transplantation compared with dialysis in clinically relevant outcomes. Am J Transplant. 2011 Oct;11(10):2093-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-6143.2011.03686.x. Epub 2011 Aug 30.
- Related InfoLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing MedDiet in people with Kidney Transplant Donor and Diet Habit, run by University Medical Centre Ljubljana at 1 site in Slovenia.
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 5 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 3 Aug 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 Slovenia. 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?
Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) (time frame: 6 weeks). 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 NCT07740928, 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 3 Aug 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.