Possible protective role of probiotic and symbiotic to limit the progression of chronic kidney disease in 5/6th nephrectomized albino rats

Background The unbalanced gut microbiota, poorly ingested enriched fiber foods, leaky gut is connected to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The leaky gut translocates uremic toxins to the systemic circulation, promote systemic inflammation, worsen CKD. Decreasing the uremic toxins influx from the gut may decrease the progression of CKD. So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic and symbiotic supplementation on the leaky gut and their role to prevent CKD progression. Methods 48 white albino rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups: sham group; CKD rats; probiotic treated and symbiotic treated rats. Treatment started either immediately or 2 weeks after the operation for each treated group. Blood pressure, body weight changes, serum level of urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate and CRP were determined. Histological studies of kidney remnants and intestine and renal fibrosis index were calculated. SPSS program was used for statistics. Results Serum urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate, CRP, fibrosis index and blood pressure significantly increased in CKD rats. Probiotic treatment decreased serum level of urea, creatinine and CRP and fibrosis index. Symbiotic treatment decreased the serum level of urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate and CRP compared to CKD rats. Blood pressure and fibrosis index were decreased significantly upon symbiotic treatment. Conclusions A strong correlation between the gut microbial ecosystem and CKD has been proved. The use of probiotics and symbiotic to modulate an unhealthy gut microbiome is a promising intervention to delay CKD progression specially in early stages. Symbiotic results were better than probiotic alone.