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. 2020 Mar-Apr;30(2):91-97.
doi: 10.4103/ijn.IJN_93_19. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

A Study on Effect of Bicarbonate Supplementation on the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Suhan Alva  1 , M Divyashree  2 , Janardhana Kamath  1 , P S Prakash  1 , K Shama Prakash  1
Affiliations

A Study on Effect of Bicarbonate Supplementation on the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease

Suhan Alva et al. Indian J Nephrol. 2020 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem in India. Prevalence of CKD will continue to rise, reflecting the growing elderly population and increasing number of patients with diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: A total of 67 patients with CKD participated in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group 1 received oral bicarbonate and Group 2 was the control group. Their baseline, 6 and 9 months estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), bicarbonate, muscle mass and serum albumin were estimated. We analysed the effect of bicarbonate supplementation on the progression of CKD.

Results: Bicarbonate supplementation decreased the metabolic acidosis in CKD patients. After bicarbonate supplementation, the serum bicarbonate level increased time-dependently from 16.62 to 18.02 and 19.77 mEq/L after 6 and 9 months, respectively. It also restored the eGFR to its baseline value. The eGFR values of Group 1 at baseline, after 6 months and 9 months were 22.39, 22.66, and 22.65 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. In contrast, the eGFR value in Group 2 reduced significantly. Patients who received bicarbonate supplementation displayed increased serum albumin levels compared with the controls. The albumin level was significantly increased from 4.05 to 4.24 and 4.34 g/dL, respectively, after 6 and 9 months (P = 0.0001). Also, bicarbonate supplementation showed significant improvement in muscle mass.

Conclusion: Study confirms the role of bicarbonate in relieving the metabolic acidosis and thereby its possible role in the management of CKD progression.

Keywords: Bicarbonate supplementation; chronic kidney disease; glomerular filtration rate; metabolic acidosis; renal disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Estimation of serum bicarbonate levels at different time points in both groups
Figure 2
Figure 2
Estimation of eGFR at different time points in both groups
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimation of serum albumin levels at different time points in both groups
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimation of muscle mass at different time points in both groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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