Cardiovascular Biomarkers

To date, no rigorous randomized controlled trials have demonstrated a protective effect of daily moderate walnut consumption on kidney function or chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in individuals with CKD. Objective: To determine the effect of walnut supplementation (30 g/day of raw walnuts) within a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) based dietary counseling program, compared with the same MedDiet counseling program without walnut supplementation, on kidney function, CKD progression and regression, and classical and emerging cardiovascular risk markers in individuals with CKD. Secondary objectives focus on assessing whether regular walnut consumption as a healthy snack has a positive impact on inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and intestinal dysbiosis, conditions intrinsically linked to CKD that play a pathophysiological role in promoting/exacerbating its progression and the development of comorbidities in this vulnerable group of subjects. Methodology: A 6-month randomized controlled trial will be conducted in 150 men and women aged 45 to 75 years with stable mild to moderate CKD (stage G3a-b), overweight or obesity, and high cardiometabolic risk. The study will compare the effect of two interventions assessed at 3 and 6 months on the following outcomes: 1. Primary outcomes: a) changes in kidney function assessed by the Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate based on creatinine and cystatin C (eGFRcr-cys); b) CKD progression; and c) CKD remission 2. Secondary outcomes: a) urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR); b) mineral and bone metabolism parameters, c) anthropometry and body composition (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, DXA); d) bone mineral density (DXA); e) diet quality; f) physical activity; g) medication use; h) psychological well-being; i) quality of life; j) classic cardiovascular risk markers; k) iron status and hepatic function; l) inflammation, endothelial function, and oxidation markers; m) gut microbiota

The goal of this study is to find and confirm blood-based markers (called proteins) that may show early heart changes in women with preeclampsia, even before symptoms appear. It will also use heart ultrasound (echocardiography) to look at patterns of how the heart changes during pregnancy in women with preeclampsia. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do these blood markers relate to heart changes on ultrasound? * How may they help predict future health problems for the mother? Participants will: * Complete a 20-minute survey that will include taking your baseline demographic information, clinical information/medical history, asking about pre-existing health conditions, including measuring your height, weight, and blood pressure. * Have transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) performed at 12 - 16 weeks gestation and again at 28 - 32 weeks gestation. * Provide a blood sample for these protein measurements. These samples will be collected at intake (12 - 16 weeks gestation) and again at 28 - 32 weeks gestation.