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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Effect of Egg-White Protein Alone or Combined With Niacin on Nutritional Status, and Phosphorus Control in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

  • 2024-07
  • Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation 34(4)
    • Parisa Javadian
    • Niloofar Nematollahi
    • Ehsan Ghaedi
    • Shahram Tahmasebian
    • Ebrahim Saedi

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 98
Population
98 patients on MHD
Methods
randomized controlled clinical trial, 24 g egg white (n=25), 600 g niacin daily (n=24), egg white combined with niacin (n=24), and control (n=24) for 8 weeks
Duration
8 weeks

Objective

Niacin is reported to decrease phosphorus concentration in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Egg white is one of the main substitutable proteins in MHD patients due to its low phosphorus content. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of combined egg white and niacin supplementation on dialysis patients' serum phosphorus and nutritional biomarkers.

Design and methods

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 98 patients on MHD were randomly allocated to four groups for 8 weeks: 24 g egg white (n = 25), 600 g niacin daily (n = 24), egg white combined with niacin (n = 24), and control (n = 24). Calcium, phosphorus, fibroblast growth factor-23, and other nutritional markers were assessed.

Results

There was a significant difference among the groups only in phosphorus at the end of the trial, which was significantly lower in the niacin group (4.38 + 0.812 mg/dL) than in both the egg white (5.07 + 0.49 mg/dL) and egg white with niacin supplementation (5.41 + 0.662 mg/dL) groups. In this regard, albumin increased in egg white and egg white with niacin supplementation, while albumin did not change significantly in the niacin group. Urea reduction ratio and Kt/V rose only in the egg-white group, while aspartate aminotransferase increased only in the niacin and control groups.

Conclusion

Niacin decreases serum phosphorus concentration more than egg-white protein or a combined intervention. Egg white protein supplementation has beneficial effects on some nutritional statuses other than phosphorus control without the side effects of niacin.

Research Insights

  • Urea reduction ratio and Kt/V rose only in the egg-white group

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 g daily
  • aspartate aminotransferase increased only in the niacin and control groups

    Effect
    Harmful
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    24 g daily
  • albumin increased in egg white and egg white with niacin supplementation, while albumin did not change significantly in the niacin group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 g daily
  • There was a significant difference among the groups only in phosphorus at the end of the trial, which was significantly lower in the niacin group (4.38 + 0.812 mg/dL) than in both the egg white (5.07 + 0.49 mg/dL) and egg white with niacin supplementation (5.41 + 0.662 mg/dL) groups.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    24 g daily
  • Urea reduction ratio and Kt/V rose only in the egg-white group

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 g daily
  • aspartate aminotransferase increased only in the niacin and control groups

    Effect
    Harmful
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    24 g daily
  • albumin increased in egg white and egg white with niacin supplementation, while albumin did not change significantly in the niacin group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    600 g daily
  • There was a significant difference among the groups only in phosphorus at the end of the trial, which was significantly lower in the niacin group (4.38 + 0.812 mg/dL) than in both the egg white (5.07 + 0.49 mg/dL) and egg white with niacin supplementation (5.41 + 0.662 mg/dL) groups.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    24 g daily

Adverse Events Reported

  • Vitamin B3aspartate aminotransferase increase

    aspartate aminotransferase increased only in the niacin and control groups

    Finding
    Increased risk
    Significant
    Yes
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