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Toxic microbiome and progression of chronic kidney disease: insights from a longitudinal CKD-Microbiome Study

M. Laiola, L. Koppe, Amine Larabi, F. Thirion, Céline Lange, B. Quinquis, A. David, E. Le Chatelier et al.

Gut, 2025

103 participants · 47 citations

Abstract

Background The gut microbiota has been linked to non-communicable diseases, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the relationships between gut microbiome composition changes, uraemic toxins (UTs) accumulation, and diet on CKD severity and progression remain underexplored. Objective To characterise relationships between gut microbiome composition and functionality, UTs diet, and CKD severity and progression, as well as assess microbial contributions to UTs accumulation through mice faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Design This study profiled the gut microbiome of 240 non-dialysis patients with CKD (CKD-REIN cohort) using shotgun metagenomics, with follow-up in 103 patients after 3 years, with comparisons with healthy volunteers from the Milieu Intérieur cohort. A multiomics approach identifies features associated with CKD severity (and progression), with validation in an independent Belgian cohort. Experimental models used FMT to test CKD gut microbiome effects on UTs and kidney fibrosis. Changes in gut microbiome over time were evaluated, and the impact of diet on these changes was assessed. Results Compared with matched healthy controls, patients with CKD exhibited gut microbiota alteration, with enrichment of UT precursor-producing species. Patients with severe CKD exhibited higher UT levels and greater enrichment of UT (precursor)-producing species in the microbiota than patients with moderate CKD. Over time, UT (precursor)-producing species increased,…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 103 participants or records.

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