Association of dietary total antioxidant capacity with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: based on two retrospective cohort studies of NHANES

Ren Fail. 2023 Dec;45(1):2205950. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2023.2205950.

Abstract

Background: The relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) and death risk among CKD populations remains unclear.

Methods: Based on vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC) and the component dietary antioxidant index (CDAI) indices, we analyzed two cohorts to investigate the association of DTAC with all-cause and CVD mortality in CKD patients using data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2018). VCEAC (n = 6330) and CDAI (n = 6300) cohorts with mortality follow-up data available through 2018 were included. Cox models with restricted cubic splines was used to model the nonlinear association between VCEAC/CDAI and outcomes in CKD patients.

Results: Our results showed L-shaped associations of DTAC with all-cause mortality among individuals with CKD stages 1-2 in both cohorts. Compared to the lowest quartile, higher dietary total antioxidant intake was associated with lower all-cause mortality risks among CKD stages 1-2 after adjustment for covariates, with HRs (95%CI) of 1.00, 0.91 (0.71,1.17), 0.69 (0.53,0.90), and 0.70 (0.54,0.91) in VCEAC, and similar respective estimate trends in CDAI. After sensitivity and subgroup analyses, there were no benefits for patients with stage 3-5 CKD or albuminuria. Mediation analysis revealed that the proportions mediated in both cohorts were less consistent.

Conclusions: Moderate dietary total antioxidants intake has potential benefits for early-stage CKD patients. However, further evidence is needed to confirm whether patients with worsening CKD can benefit in the long term.

Keywords: Dietary total antioxidant capacity; NHANES; chronic kidney disease; component dietary antioxidant index; mortality; vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants* / administration & dosage
  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / mortality
  • Mortality
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Ascorbic Acid

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the National Science Foundation of China (No. 81973776, and No. 82174316), the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (CACM-2021-QNRC2-B30), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province/Guangzhou City (2023A1515030146,2021A1515011457 and 202102080228) and Guangzhou Science and Technology Project (202206080015), National Clinical Research Base of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. [2018]131). National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project (82205236).