Curcumin and Vascular and Cognitive Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed research is clinical study evaluating the therapeutic benefits of curcumin on vascular function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study aims to establish that curcumin will improve endothelial function and reduce large artery stiffness by reducing oxidative stress and in conjunction with lowering markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, the study will evaluate the potential benefit of curcumin on cognitive function in patients with CKD.

Detailed Description
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Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation, oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction (impaired endothelial function and increased large elastic artery stiffness), are highly prevalent in CKD and contribute to the high incidence of CVD in this patient population. In addition, patients with CKD suffer from high rates of cognitive decline for which we lack effective therapies. Thus, therapeutic interventions targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment in CKD are a biomedical priority. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. It is safe and widely-available. Preliminary data in old mice and healthy middle-aged (MA)/older adult humans indicate that curcumin administration improves endothelial dysfunction and large artery stiffness by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, 12 weeks of curcumin supplementation improves episodic memory in MA/older adults. The primary goal of this R01 application is to extend previous findings in healthy MA/older adults to patients with CKD, a growing clinical population with extensive baseline vascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment who presently have few treatment options. The hypothesis is that curcumin improves vascular endothelial function and large elastic artery stiffness in MA/older adults with stage IIIb and IV CKD (estimated GFR 15-45 mL/min/1.73m2). The possible mechanisms by which curcumin improves vascular function will be evaluated as well as whether curcumin improves cognitive function in these patients. Specific aim 1a will determine if 12 months of curcumin supplementation will improve brachial artery-flow mediated dilation (BA-FMD) (endothelial function) and aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) (arterial stiffness) compared to placebo (randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study). Specific aim 1b will evaluate whether the curcumin-induced improvements in BA-FMD and aPWV are mediated by reduced oxidative stress, and will evaluate the effects of curcumin on systemic and endothelial cell markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, specific aim 2 will evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on cognitive function, an important complication of CKD, using the NIH Cognitive Toolbox Battery.

Official Title
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Curcumin Supplementation for Improving Vascular and Cognitive Function in Chronic Kidney Disease

Conditions
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Chronic Kidney Diseases, Cognitive Decline

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Curcumin
* Other: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: CKD stage IIIB and IV BMI<35 kg/m2 Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Consuming a diet rich in curcumin or taking curcumin supplements in the past 12 months Life expectancy <1 year Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to use adequate birth control Uncontrolled hypertension Severe liver disease Severe congestive heart failure Hospitalization within the last 3 months Active infection or antibiotic therapy Immunosuppressive therapy within the last year

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 45 Years
Maximum Age: 74 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Curcumin<br>Patients will receive curcumin (Lonvida) 2000 mg PO once a day | Drug: Curcumin<br>* Oral supplement for 12 months<br>* Other names: Longvida;|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Patients will receive placebo pill identical in appearance and taste to the supplement | Other: Placebo<br>* Oral placebo for 12 months<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vascular endothelial function | Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Large artery stiffness | Aortic pulse wave velocity | 12 months | 
| Cognitive function | NIH toolbox battery | 12 months |