[Examination of activated charcoal preparations in chronic kidney disease: comparing Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M)].

Background: Two activated charcoal preparations, Kremezin (K) and Merckmezin (M), are both available in Japan and derived from similar materials. However, their microstructures are distincty different, and possibly reflect differences in their properties of absorbance. To evaluate the difference between K and M, we investigated the effects of K and M on the clinical parameters related to uremia in pre-dialysis patients.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, open-label, two-arm, parallel-group comparative clinical trial was planned, as follows. After the 4-week observation period, twenty-two patients who were enrolled in this study were randomly distributed into two groups, K or M, for 8 weeks.

Results: There were no significant differences between the K and M groups in the characteristics of the patients. The rate of change of serum indoxyl sulfate was significantly reduced in the K group compared with the M group (p=0.002). Creatinine clearance was preserved in the K group, but decreased in the M group (p=0.045).

Conclusions: K had more favorable effects in adsorbing uremic toxins and preserving renal function in the uremic patients than M.