RESET PKD A Pilot Trial On Short Term Ketogenic Interventions In Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

This pilot study investigated whether ketogenic dietary interventions could help patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a genetic condition where fluid-filled cysts grow in the kidneys and liver over time. Previous research in animals suggested that ketogenic approaches - which shift the body's metabolism to burn fat instead of sugar - might slow cyst growth and kidney damage.

The researchers studied 10 ADPKD patients with rapidly progressing disease, dividing them into two groups: five underwent 3 days of water fasting, while five followed a 14-day ketogenic diet. Both approaches successfully induced ketosis (a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel) in 90% of participants, and most patients found the interventions manageable in their daily lives.

The results showed promising changes in the liver but not the kidneys. Participants experienced a significant 7.7% decrease in total liver volume, primarily due to changes in non-cystic liver tissue. However, kidney cyst volume remained essentially unchanged, decreasing by only 1.1%. The researchers suggest that longer interventions might be needed to see meaningful changes in kidney cysts.

While this was a very small, short-term study, it demonstrates that ketogenic interventions are safe and feasible for ADPKD patients. The liver volume reduction, though modest, suggests these metabolic approaches might have therapeutic potential. Patients with ADPKD interested in ketogenic approaches should work closely with their healthcare providers, as longer-term studies are needed to determine optimal protocols and long-term safety.