Fasting-Mimicking Diet May Restore Kidney Function

TOPLINE:
A fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) restored kidney function in a rodent model and promoted renoprotection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by reducing proteinuria and improving endothelial function, new research shows. 
METHODOLOGY:
Researchers developed and fed CKD animal models a low-salt FMD equivalent to the recommended daily intake for human patients with stage-III CKD.
The 13 clinical trial participants ate a plant-based diet consisting of proprietary formulations of vegetable-based soups, energy bars, energy drinks, chip snacks, tea, and a supplement providing high minerals, vitamins, and essential fatty acids for 5 days per month for 3 months.
For the clinical trial, the researchers evaluated physiological markers before and after study completion, as well as during the study and, for some parameters, a year after the end of the intervention; examinations included body composition, serum level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), inflammation and oxidative stress markers, cardiovascular and endothelial risk factors renal function markers, regenerative markers (circulating stem cells), and psychocognitive evaluation.
Various metabolic parameters were measured in the rodents.
TAKEAWAY:
Six cycles of the proprietary low-salt FMD slowed the deterioration of kidney structures and function in rodents, leading to a significant reduction in the albumin-to-creatine ratio and blood urea nitrogen at 4 and 6 weeks after the diet cycles, as well as a significant reduction in glomerular and tubular injury.
In the clinical trial, the FMD ameliorated renal dysfunction, improved proteinuria, and reduced inflammation.
Taken together, these preliminary results support the feasibility of FMD and the need for large randomized trials to test whether humans will also benefit from the diet’s disease-reversing and regenerative effects.
IN PRACTICE:
The pilot clinical study results showed that the FMD maintains lean muscle mass and is well tolerated in patients with stage-III CKD, the authors wrote. The trial also “provides initial evidence for the effect of FMD cycles in stabilizing kidney disease and, in some cases, inducing a moderate amelioration of renal function for at least 1 year.”
SOURCE:
The study was led by Valentina Villani, PhD, of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, and published online in Science Translational Medicine.
LIMITATIONS:
Study limitations included the use of various rat and mouse models, and the small size and lack of between-group differences at the end of the intervention in humans.
DISCLOSURES:
Villani and five coauthors have filed a patent on Fasting Mimicking Diet to Improve Kidney Function; one of the five also has equity interest in and serves as an advisor of L-Nutra and has filed patents related to fasting mimicking diets and their medical use.
 
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