Dietary fibre improves renal anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease

A recent study suggested that application of dietary fibre (DF) may improve renal anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The results of this study were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine.

The prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to explore the effect of DF on renal anemia by regulating the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). A total of 162 ESRD patients were enrolled in the study and randomly distributed into a DF or a control group, who received oral DF or potato starch (10 g/day) for 8 weeks. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (Fe2+), serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, and the dosage of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) were measured in patients before and after intervention. The gut microbiota and SCFAs in both groups were analyzed.

In comparison with the control group, the DF group had higher Hb, Fe2+, and SF levels. It was found that Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Lactobacillus and Lactobacillaceae increased in the DF group, and Lactobacillus and Lactobacillaceae were positively correlated with Hb and Fe2+ levels.

Thus, it can be concluded that the prebiotic effects of DF improves renal anemia in ESRD patients.