Efficacy of novel activated bamboo charcoal in reducing uremic toxins and enhancing kidney function in chronic kidney disease patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: The role of uremic toxins in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and novel treatments to mitigate their effects are critical areas of research. This pilot study investigated the efficacy of a novel activated bamboo charcoal and/or probiotics in reducing uremic toxins and improving renal function in CKD patients. Methods: This prospective, randomized, open, blinded end-point (PROBE) study included patients with stage 3 CKD. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: activated bamboo charcoal (ABC), probiotics, ABC with probiotics, or standard treatment for 3 months. Results: A total of 46 patients were enrolled (mean age 66.7 ± 11.5 years, 71.7% male). The ABC and ABC with probiotics groups showed a significant reduction in serum levels of the uremic toxins trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and phenyl sulfate (PS) after 3 months of treatment (all Conclusion: This study suggested that ABC significantly reduced uremic toxins and might have potential in improving eGFR in CKD stage 3 patients over a 3-month period. These findings suggest a potential protective effect of ABC on kidney function, highlighting the need for further large-scale, long-term randomized controlled trials to confirm these results.