Taiwan has more chronic kidney disease (CKD) per capita than anywhere in the world, leading to the highest expense of National Health Insurance. By reviewing previous studies, uremic toxins contribute critically to the detrimental effects of CKD on atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD). When recognized early and managed appropriately, mortality and complications of the participants with CKD and established PAD can be minimized. It is critical to identify novel biomarkers and mediators, which can help identify those with potential poor outcomes and facilitate the discovery/development of novel therapeutics for the patients with CKD and PAD. The OMICs studies support the theory that gut microbiome is a major contributor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes and progression of CKD. However, successful integration of multi-omics approach remains sparse. There is no report on the impact of gut microbiota on the host circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression signature, other CAD/PAD potential marker, and the potential link between gut microbiota, circulating lncRNA levels changes and CKD/PAD. Additionally, although numerous studies indicated that probiotics or activated charcoal have benefits for CKD patients, few studies evaluated the effect of coadministration of activated charcoal/probiotics on the patients with CKD/PAD. The mechanisms of therapeutic effect on CKD/PAD patients with coadministration of activated charcoal/probiotics involving the cross talk among host, microbiota and metabolites still remain unclear. Thus, in the present study, investigators aim to develop novel diagnostic/prognostic markers and a new treatment with activated bamboo charcoal (ABC)/probiotics for therapeutic opportunities to prevent cardiovascular complications, amputation and death in CKD patients with established PAD. To identify the diagnostic/prognostic markers, the multi-omics (microbolome and metabolome) and lncRNA will be analyzed. The therapeutic impact of activated bamboo charcoal (ABC)/probiotics with optimal formulation, on the renal/endothelial/vascular function, cardiovascular (CV) outcome and mortality in CKD patients with PAD will be also determined to evaluate its therapeutic opportunities.
Age > 20 years old on the day of screening.
CKD patients with eGFR 15 < eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 in a stable status, creatinine elevated less than 0.3 mg/dL in at least 30 days before enrollment.
Symptomatic PAD with Rutherford Stage ≥ 2 and ABI ≤ 0.9 (or documented by CT-angio, vascular duplex, etc.). II. non-CKD/PAD group Patients (Group II)
Baseline estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) < 15 ml/min/1.73m2 according to MDRD equation.
Patients in severe malnutrition status, albumin less than 2.0 g/dL
Patients in severe anemia or active gastrointestinal bleeding with hemoglobulin < 8 g/dL.
Peptic ulcer, esophageal varices, ileus or under fasting status