Lactobacillus acidophilus KBL409 Reduces Kidney Fibrosis via Immune Modulatory Effects in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease

Scope Intestinal dysbiosis has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, to evaluate whether probiotic supplements can have protective effects against kidney injury in an animal model of CKD is aimed. Methods and results An animal model of CKD is established by feeding C57BL/6 mice a diet containing 0.2% adenine. These model mice are administered Lactobacillus acidophilus KBL409 daily for 4 weeks. Features of adenine‐induce CKD (Ade‐CKD) mice, such as prominent kidney fibrosis and higher levels of serum creatinine and albuminuria are improved by administration of KBL409. Ade‐CKD mice also exhibit a disrupted intestinal barrier and elevate levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine. These changes are attenuated by KBL409. Administration of KBL409 significantly reduces macrophage infiltration and promotes a switch to the M2 macrophage phenotype and increasing regulatory T cells. Notably, the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway is activated in the kidneys of Ade‐CKD and decreases by KBL409. In primary kidney tubular epithelial cells treated with p‐cresyl sulfate, short‐chain fatty acids significantly increase M2 macrophage polarization factors and decrease profibrotic markers. Conclusions These results demonstrate that supplementation with the probiotic KBL409 has beneficial immunomodulating effects and protects against kidney injury.