A specifically designed synbiotic reduces uremic toxin generation and improves kidney function

Metagenomic data of the intestinal microbiota were collected from mice with and without kidney disease, with or without synbiotic treatment. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by accumulation of uremic toxins (UTs), such as p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate, generated through the transformation of tyrosine and tryptophan by the gut microbiota. We further designed a novel specific synbiotic for CKD (SynCKD) that are able to decrease UTs in silico and in vitro. We tested a specific synbiotic (SynCKD) in a male mouse model of CKD induced by two-step 5/6 nephrectomy at 6 weeks of age. The mice were treated with either a placebo or the synbiotic for 6 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at the end of the treatment period for analysis. The in vivo efficacy of SynCKD was demonstrated by reduced plasma levels of uremic toxins (UTs) and improved kidney function after 6 tweeks of treatment. Finally, metagenomic analyses showed that SynCKD resulted in a lower abundance of microbial genes involved in tryptophan and tyrosine degradation.