Effect of soluble dietary fiber on gut microbiota and derived metabolites in stage 3 to 5 chronic kidney disease patients: A randomized controlled trial

Gut dysbiosis is closely associated with the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and strategies such as prebiotic supplementation have been suggested to ameliorate CKD and related complications. We hypothesized that prebiotic-soluble dietary fiber (SDF) complexes could ameliorate biochemical parameters, gut microbiota and microbial metabolites of CKD. Here, forty non-dialyzed CKD patients in stage 3 to 5 were randomized to receive either SDF or placebo for 30 days. As expected, SDF intervention reduced serum total cholesterol levels (P＜0.05) and plasma interleukin (IL)-8 levels (P＜0.05). No profound changes in the diversity or community structure of the gut microbiota were observed in SDF group, but the composition of the gut microbiota was altered. Moreover, the concentration of propionate of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) increased significantly following SDF intervention (P＜0.05). SDF supplementation seems to be a promising strategy to improve inflammation, gut microbiology and derived metabolites.