Effectiveness of Probiotics (Procite®) Supplementation on Uremic Toxins in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Real-World Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Background: Gut dysbiosis is linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease progression. By addressing dysbiosis, probiotics may enrich the gut microbiota, boost immunological response, restore intestinal permeability, and promote anti-inflammatory effects, possibly benefiting CKD patients. Probiotics have the potential to slow progression. A small number of studies have suggested that supplementation of probiotics may decrease CKD progression. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of Procite® (probiotics) supplementation in lowering uremic toxins in CKD patients. Study Design:  A real-world retrospective analysis. Methodology: A real-world retrospective analysis was conducted in a tertiary care hospital and included patients aged 18-75 years, with CKD stages 3-5, not on dialysis.  Patients (n=51) who had taken Procite® (which contains 70 billion colony-forming units (cfu) of probiotic strains) for at least 3 months were included in the analysis. Patient records were evaluated from baseline (day 0) and at 1 month and 3 months post-probiotic supplementation. Clinical and laboratory parameters, including serum creatinine and blood urea, were assessed to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes. Results: A total of 51 CKD patients (M; F-39;12) with a mean age of 50.43 ± 14.7 years. Mean serum creatinine at baseline, 1 and 3 months after probiotic were 4.23 ± 2.14, 4.15 ± 1.96 and 4.06 ± 2.03, respectively. The reduction in serum creatinine was not statistically significant. At 3 months, 80.39% patients' serum creatinine was stable, 15.68% improved, and 3.92% worsened. The blood urea at baseline, 1 and 3 months were 45.66± 16.8, 41.17 ± 12.6 and 38.74 ± 12.7, respectively. Blood urea was significantly lower after 1 month (-4.49, P=0.003) and 3 months (-6.92, P<0.001). There were no specific adverse events. Conclusion: Supplementation of Procite® (Probiotics) in CKD leads to lowering blood urea, serum creatinine and stabilising the progression of the condition. Probiotics can be helpful to adjuvant therapy in the management of CKD.