Abstract: TH-PO0626
Relationships of Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with CKD
Session Information
- CKD: Clinical - Guidelines, Biomarkers, Progression, Procedures, Outcomes, and More
October 22, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)
- 2202 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Clinical, Outcomes, and Trials
Authors
- Nagel, Ryan T., University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Geasland, Katharine M., University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Sun, Mingyao, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Ten Eyck, Patrick, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Manning, Trejahn E., University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Steinbach, Emily JS, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Hoth, Karin, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Harshman, Lyndsay, University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Jalal, Diana I., University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Background
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with systemic inflammation and impairments of cognitive function. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) have been linked with cognitive decline in aging populations however, their role in cognitive dysfunction in CKD is unknown. Curcumin, an anti-inflammatory polyphenol, has been investigated as a possible therapeutic agent to combat high levels of these cytokines in CKD. We hypothesized IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α correlate with cognitive function and that curcumin lowers inflammatory biomarkers in CKD.
Methods
This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of Longvida (2000 mg daily curcumin) in adults with pre-dialysis, non-transplant CKD. Spearman correlation coefficients assessed the associations between baseline cytokine concentrations and cognitive domain scores. We utilized the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery to evaluate four domains: processing speed, executive function, memory, and language. Stratified analyses were conducted, evaluating diabetes status, kidney function, and age. Changes in cytokine levels from baseline to 12 months were compared between the curcumin and placebo groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test.
Results
A total of 88 participants were included in baseline analyses, and 75 participants had serum available for analysis at 12 months. Baseline characteristics were similar between curcumin and placebo groups. No significant correlations were observed between IL-6, IL-10, or TNF-α and any cognitive domain (Table 1). Stratified analyses by diabetes status, eGFR, and age showed no associations. Cytokine levels did not change significantly after 12 months, with no difference between treatment groups.
Conclusion
In this cohort of participants with CKD, inflammatory biomarkers were not associated with cognitive performance across domains. Additionally, curcumin did not significantly alter levels of inflammatory biomarkers over 12 months. These findings propose that other mechanisms may underlie cognitive impairment in CKD.
Spearman Correlations Between Baseline Inflammatory Biomarkers and Cognitive Domains
| Cognative Domain | IL-6 | p-value | IL-10 | p-value | TNF-α | p-value |
| Processing Speed | -0.04 | 0.76 | -0.11 | 0.36 | -0.12 | 0.35 |
| Executive Function | 0.08 | 0.52 | 0.00 | 0.99 | 0.07 | 0.59 |
| Memory | 0.05 | 0.71 | -0.20 | 0.12 | -0.06 | 0.64 |
| Language | -0.08 | 0.50 | -0.06 | 0.65 | 0.05 | 0.67 |
Funding
- Other NIH Support