Zhen Wang , Xiao-Ling Rong , Cai-Xia Dai , Qing Wang , Lin-Feng Lu , Wen-Tao Zhang , Lei Zhang , Qian-Qian Chen , E-Hu Liu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Fucoidan, a bioactive sulfated polysaccharide, is renowned for its extensive range of biological activities, including anticancer activity, antioxidative properties, immune activation and has demonstrated supportive therapeutic effects in treating kidney ailments. However, the underlying mechanism related to renal fibrosis remains not fully understood.
Purpose
The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effects and mechanism of FPS against renal fibrosis with a focus on gut-kidney axis.
Methods
We established renal fibrosis models in mice using unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), folic acid (FA) challenge, or a microbiota-depleted, with continuous oral administration of FPS, Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK), or acetate at specified doses and intervals. Simultaneously, we examined the impact of FPS on epithelial mesenchymal transformation in cultured HK-2 and investigated the associated mechanisms.
Results
In this study, we demonstrate that fucoidan administration reduces renal collagen deposition, inflammation, epithelial mesenchymal transformation and improves renal function in mouse models of renal fibrosis induced by UUO or FA. Metagenomics analysis showed that fucoidan significantly increases the abundance of AKK by promoting its growth in UUO-induced renal fibrosis. Oral administration of live AKK alleviates renal fibrosis in UUO and FA mouse models. Using oral antibiotic-treated mice, we found that the effect of fucoidan on renal fibrosis was weakened. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) study results show that AKK produces the short-chain fatty acids (acetate), which protects against renal fibrosis by suppressing NEU1-TLR4-NFκB-mediated inflammation in the kidney.
Conclusion
Our findings establish a novel gut-kidney axis wherein fucoidan ameliorates renal fibrosis through AKK-mediated acetate production and subsequent NEU1-TLR4-NFκB pathway inhibition.
期刊介绍:
Phytomedicine is a therapy-oriented journal that publishes innovative studies on the efficacy, safety, quality, and mechanisms of action of specified plant extracts, phytopharmaceuticals, and their isolated constituents. This includes clinical, pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and toxicological studies of herbal medicinal products, preparations, and purified compounds with defined and consistent quality, ensuring reproducible pharmacological activity. Founded in 1994, Phytomedicine aims to focus and stimulate research in this field and establish internationally accepted scientific standards for pharmacological studies, proof of clinical efficacy, and safety of phytomedicines.