# Effect of Dietary Sodium Reduction in Kidney Disease Patients with Albuminuria

> **NIH NIH P20** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2020 · $215,811

## Abstract

Project Summary (Research Project 4)
Proteinuria is an early and sensitive marker of kidney damage and a risk factor for chronic kidney disease
(CKD) progression, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Several cross-sectional epidemiological
studies have reported an association between sodium intake and albuminuria (majority of proteinuria) that is
independent of blood pressure (BP). In addition, a handful of small clinical trials have suggested a reduction in
dietary sodium intake may decrease albuminuria in patients with CKD. The overall goal of this randomized
controlled trial is to study the effect of dietary sodium reduction on albuminuria in CKD patients with
albuminuria. A total of 150 participants with CKD and albuminuria will be recruited from 3 medical centers in
the New Orleans area. They will be randomly assigned to either a 16-week intensive behavioral modification
program designed to reduce dietary sodium intake to 2,400 mg/day or to usual care in a 1:1 randomization
ratio. The primary outcome will be the difference between the active intervention and control groups for change
in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio from baseline to 16 weeks of follow-up. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio
will be assessed as the average of two 24-hour urine collections at each time point. Secondary outcomes will
include estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), BP, and number of antihypertensive medications. Urinary
sodium excretion will be used to measure the success of the intervention. Racial differences in albuminuria
changes due to reduction in dietary sodium intake will be analyzed. Urinary angiotensinogen excretion, a
biomarker of intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activity and sodium-sensitivity will also be evaluated in
relation to changes in albuminuria during the dietary sodium reduction intervention. The intervention program
will be modeled on best practices derived from the investigators prior experience in conducting sodium
reduction behavioral interventions. The intervention program will address individual barriers to long-term
sodium reduction and generate collective enthusiasm and motivation for adherence to the program. Study staff
will receive training and direct support from a consultant with extensive experience in successful
implementation of behavioral and dietary modification interventions. Results from this study will clarify the role
of dietary sodium reduction in management of CKD patients with albuminuria and its potential to halt the
progression of CKD, a global public health concern. The study will explore the interaction of race/ethnicity and
urinary angiotensinogen excretion with dietary sodium reduction on albuminuria in CKD patients. This COBRE
research project will provide the junior faculty investigator protected time, the opportunity to lead a
multidisciplinary research team, and facilitate her authorship of high quality peer reviewed publications which
will enhance her career development and allow ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9930647
- **Project number:** 5P20GM109036-05
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** belinda t lee
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $215,811
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-07-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9930647

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9930647, Effect of Dietary Sodium Reduction in Kidney Disease Patients with Albuminuria (5P20GM109036-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9930647. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*