NCT07060040

The Effects of a Dialysis-Specific Formula Rich in Branched-Chain Amino Acids, Omega-3, and Dietary Fiber on Nutritional Status

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a specialized oral nutritional supplement (SF) enriched with BCAAs, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber on improving the nutritional status of dialysis patients with mild to moderate malnutrition, and thereby alleviating fatigue and enhancing quality of life. We will assess various aspects of protein-energy wasting (PEW), as well as changes in the Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), fatigue, appetite, serum BCAA levels, uremic toxins, and gut microbiota composition.

Detailed description

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is highly prevalent in dialysis patients. If not promptly addressed, PEW increases the risk of falls, disability, fractures, hospitalization, and mortality, while significantly impairing quality of life. In clinical care, nutritional supplementation can prevent the onset of PEW and improve quality of life by reducing the severity of malnutrition. Numerous studies and meta-analyses have shown that dietary fiber can help reduce uremic toxins in CKD and dialysis patients. Additionally, research has shown that the loss of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) during dialysis can lead to poor appetite, fatigue, and increased risk of PEW. In elderly hemodialysis patients, supplementation with 12 g/day of BCAAs has been shown to reduce anorexia and significantly improve nutritional status. The aim of this study is to improve the nutritional status of dialysis patients with mild to moderate malnutrition by providing a specialized formula (SF) supplement enriched with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary fiber. The ultimate goal is to alleviate fatigue and enhance quality of life. We will simultaneously evaluate changes in multiple aspects of protein-energy wasting (PEW), the malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), fatigue levels, appetite, serum BCAA concentrations, uremic toxins, and gut microbiota composition.

Conditions

• ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease)
• Dialysis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	BOSCOGEN 18% Protein ONS: Energy 480 kcal, Protein 21.6 g, BCAA 6000 mg, Omega-3 fatty acid 1.8 g, fiber 5 g	Oral nutritional supplementation: Energy 480 kcal, Protein 21.6 g, BCAA 6000 mg, Omega-3 fatty acid 1.8 g, fiber 5 g
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Fresubin dialysis ONS (200 ml): Energy 300 kcal, Protein 20 g, BCAA - mg, Omega-3 fatty acid - g, fiber 0.2 g	Fresubin dialysis ONS (200 ml): Energy 300 kcal, Protein 20 g, BCAA - mg, Omega-3 fatty acid - g, fiber 0.2 g

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-01
• Primary completion: 2027-12-01
• Completion: 2027-12-01
• First posted: 2025-07-11
• Last updated: 2025-07-11