The gut microbiota in IgAN patients and healthy controls .

Numerous research has shown that serum Gal-deficient (Gd)-IgA1 levels are increased in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients and these levels are a dangerous risk factor for IgAN. Here, we evaluated changes in the gut flora and the levels of Gd-IgA1 in IgAN patients and healthy controls (HCs). We investigated the Gd-IgA1 levels in both blood and urine specimens. C57BL/6 mice were given a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail to deplete the endogenous gut flora. We established a model of IgAN in pseudosterile mice and investigated the expression of the markers of intestinal permeability, inflammation and local immune responses.