Treatment with Roseburia intestinalis Relieves Symptoms of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) by Altering the Gut Microbiota and Increasing the Levels of Fecal SCFAs in Adriamycin-Induced CKD Rats.

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of the probiotic Roseburia intestinalis (R. intestinalis) in alleviating chronic kidney disease (CKD) symptoms and explored whether these effects are mediated through the modulation of the gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). An Adriamycin (ADR)-induced CKD rat model was established, and the rats were treated with R. intestinalis via oral gavage for 8 weeks. Renal function, histopathology, and inflammatory markers were assessed. The gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16 S rRNA sequencing, and SCFA levels were quantified by gas chromatography. To verify the underlying mechanism, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed in germ-free CKD rats. The results demonstrate that R. intestinalis significantly mitigated CKD symptoms, including reduced proteinuria, serum creatinine, and renal inflammation, while reversing weight loss. The treatment restored gut microbial diversity, specifically by increasing the abundance of Firmicutes and fecal SCFA levels (acetate, propionate, and butyrate). Importantly, FMT from R. intestinalis-treated rats into germ-free CKD rats reversed these beneficial effects, whereas R. intestinalis alone under germ-free conditions was less effective, suggesting the need for a complex microbiome for full efficacy. These findings indicate that R. intestinalis is associated with alleviation of CKD symptoms by modulating the gut microbiota and enhancing fecal SCFA production, highlighting its potential as a promising probiotic intervention for CKD management and underscoring the role of the gut-kidney axis as a therapeutic target.