Abstract: FR-PO0249
Plant-Based Diet Adherence and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Individuals with CKD
Session Information
- CKD: Omics, Systemic Stressors, and Targeted Pharmacotherapy
October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2201 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention
Authors
- Chang, Sophie, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Yang, Jiaqi, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Kim, Hyunju, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Sullivan, Valerie, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Li, Changwei, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
- Kelly, Tanika, University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Sun, Jing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Arking, Dan, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Kalim, Sahir, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Rincon-Choles, Hernan, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Ricardo, Ana C., University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Rao, Panduranga S., University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Anderson, Amanda Hyre, University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Appel, Lawrence J., Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Rebholz, Casey, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Background
Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) is a marker of mitochondrial function and is inversely associated with risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. Greater adherence to plant-based diets has been associated with favorable outcomes in individuals with CKD.
We hypothesize that plant-based diet adherence is positively associated with mtDNA-CN.
Methods
Data were analyzed from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort, an observational study of individuals with CKD. mtDNA-CN was quantified from buffy coat-derived DNA by calculating the ratio of probe intensities for mitochondrial SNPs to those for nuclear DNA markers. Plant-based diet adherence was assessed using the Diet History Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regressions progressively adjusted for demographic (Model 1), lifestyle (Model 2), and clinical (Model 3) factors.
Results
Among 2,194 participants, the mean age was 58 years, 42% were black, and 47% were female. Participants in the highest tertile for adherence to an overall plant-based diet had significantly higher mtDNA-CN than those in the lowest tertile (Model 1: β for tertiles 3 vs. 1: 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.24, p-trend=0.01; Model 2: β for tertiles 3 vs. 1: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.24, p-trend=0.02; Model 3: β for tertiles 3 vs. 1: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.01-0.22, p-trend=0.04) (Figure).
Conclusion
Plant-based diet adherence was positively associated with mtDNA-CN in individuals with CKD, suggesting a link between consuming a plant-based diet and ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings support KDIGO 2024 guidelines to increase consumption of plant-based foods.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank the participants and coordinators of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study for their contributions.
Results are adjusted for age, sex, race, CRIC site, total energy intake, education, smoking, physical activity, alcohol consumption, eGFR spline terms with a knot at 45 mL/min/1.73 m2, and urine protein/creatinine ratio (Model 2).
Funding
- NIDDK Support