Effects of Prebiotic Supplementation and Exercise on Inflammatory Markers, Vascular Function and Cognition in CKD

The primary aim of the proposed study is to determine whether the consumption of a prebiotic supplement (resistant starch) coupled with moderate intensity endurance training over 16 weeks leads to reductions in key inflammatory markers in stage 3-4 predialysis CKD patients and whether this reduction is associated with favorable changes in vascular function and indicators of stress and emotional reactivity.

The investigators hypothesize that supplementation with the prebiotic (resistant starch) will lead to normalization of the microbiome of our sample of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and reduce key markers of inflammation. Reductions in these biomarkers will be associated with favorable changes in cardiovascular variables along with indices of stress and emotional reactivity. Moderate intensity aerobic training will have an additive anti-inflammatory effect along with the consumption of the resistant starch.

Inclusion criteria

• stage 3-4 of CKD (GFR 15-59 ml/min/1.73m2),
• ages of 30-75 years old,
• Must be capable of complying with and following the study protocol(diet and exercise)
• Must be capable of independently giving informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• kidney transplant
• currently in a structured exercise program
• on antibiotic therapy within the last month
• On a probiotic or prebiotic supplement within the last month
• a GI disorder that prohibits the use of resistant starch (ie. high-amylose corn starch, which resists digestion
• HIV positive
• gastric by-pass surgery
• clostridium difficile
• marijuana user
• lupus
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Hepatitis C
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• deep vein thrombosis
• pancreatitis