Efficacy of beetroot juice on reducing blood pressure in hypertensive adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (BEET-PKD): study protocol for a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Trials. 2023 Jul 29;24(1):482. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07519-2.

Abstract

Background: In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) impaired nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, in part, contributes to early-onset hypertension. Beetroot juice (BRJ) reduces blood pressure (BP) by increasing NO-mediated vasodilation. The aim of this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study is to test the hypothesis that BRJ reduces systolic and diastolic clinic BP in hypertensive adults with ADPKD.

Methods: Participants with ADPKD and treated hypertension (n = 60) will be randomly allocated (1:1) to receive a daily dose of either nitrate-replete (400 mg nitrate/day) or nitrate-deplete BRJ for 4 weeks. The co-primary outcomes are change in mean systolic and diastolic clinic BP before and after 4 weeks of treatment with daily BRJ. Secondary outcomes are changes in daily home BP, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, serum and salivary nitrate/nitrite levels and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine levels before and after 4 weeks of BRJ.

Discussion: The effect of BRJ in ADPKD has not been previously tested. BRJ is an accessible, natural dietary supplement that, if effective, will provide a novel adjunctive approach for treating hypertension in ADPKD.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05401409. Retrospectively registered on 27th May 2022.

Keywords: Beetroot juice; Dietary interventions in hypertension; Polycystic kidney disease.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial Protocol

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Beta vulgaris*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / diagnosis
  • Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Hypotension*
  • Nitrates / pharmacology
  • Nitrates / therapeutic use
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / complications
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / diagnosis
  • Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant* / drug therapy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Antioxidants

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT05401409