Role of Oral Activated Charcoal in decreasing Blood Urea, Creatinine and Phosphorous in Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background: In recent years, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a worldwide public health issue. Objective: The main aim of this study was to explore the ability of oral activated charcoal to adsorb uremic toxins limiting the progression of CKD and delaying the need for hemodialysis in patients with CKD stages III and IV and to compare its effect with the effect of dry seeds (lentils) as absorbents of uremic toxins. Patients and methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients with CKD stages III and IV. The patients were divided into 3 groups as following; Group (A): 30 patients received oral activated charcoal in a dose of 3 gm/day, Group (B): 30 cases received dry seeds (raw lentils) in a dose of 30 gm/day, and Group (C): 30 cases as control group on usual conservative treatment. Results: Group A showed that there was significant decrease in serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus and potassium throughout follow up period (12 weeks) compared to Group B and Group C (control group). Group B showed there was significant decrease in serum urea and creatinine throughout follow up period (12 weeks), while there was no significant difference in serum phosphorus and potassium, compared to Group A and Group C. Conclusion: The use of oral activated charcoal and uncooked lentils could be of value in lowering uremic toxins in patients with CKD stages III and IV. Future studies are warranted to confirm such results.

Protective effect of activated charcoal against progression of chronic kidney disease: A randomized clinical study

“…A study by Al-Shazly et al . [ 25 ] showed similar results over a 12-week follow-up period, where the activated charcoal group had a significant decrease in serum urea and phosphorus compared to the control group. Another study by Gao et al .…”

“…The activated charcoal group showed a significant decrease in serum urea and phosphorus throughout the follow-up period. A study by Al-Shazly et al [25] showed similar results over a 12-week follow-up period, where the activated charcoal group had a significant decrease in serum urea and phosphorus compared to the control group. Another study by Gao et al [26] supported these findings, demonstrating that the phosphorus levels in the oral-activated charcoal group started to decline in the third month and remained lower than those in the placebo group throughout the experiment.…”