Some Hope For Me and other CKD Sufferers

A Phase II trial of lubiprostone for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in August 2025 that included 150 patients, though the efficacy analysis included 116 patients. The trial evaluated lubiprostone's potential to reduce kidney function decline in patients with CKD, with the full results published in the journal Science Advances in late August 2025. 

Trial Details: 

• Name: The LUBI-CKD TRIAL.
• Design: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled.
• Participants: 150 screened patients, with 116 included in the efficacy analysis.
• Setting: Nine centers in Japan, from July 2016 to December 2019.

Findings and Implications:

• PPrimary Goal:

  ThThe trial aimed to assess lubiprostone's effect on kidney function decline. 
• MMechanism:

  LliLubiprostone was shown to increase spermidine production, which is thought to immprove mitochondrial function and provide a renoprotective effect. 
• FFFuture Research:

  TThe research team plans to validate these findings in a larger Phase III trial and to exexplore biomarkers that predict treatment efficacy. 
• PPotential:

  ThThis discovery suggests a new therapeutic strategy for managing CKD, focusing onon preventing the progression of kidney damage rather than just managing sysymptoms. 

Note: While the initial statement claims lubiprostone reduced decline in kidney function, this is likely referring to the preliminary findings and overall results of the Phase II trial, not necessarily a direct outcome of just 150 patients' observations.The study also noted the cohort's lack of diversity, which could affect the generalizability of the findings.

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Finally, Did you know that.....

The Philippines was nearly self-sufficient in rice before the Marcos era? By the late 1960s, strong harvests and early Green Revolution gains gave the country near self-reliance.

But during the Marcos years, corruption in the fertilizer industry, mismanaged agricultural policies, and weak rural investment led to declining productivity. As a result, the Philippines shifted from near self-sufficiency to being one of the world’s top rice importers—a status it still struggles with today.