Probiotic Kefir Improves Renal Disorders in Ovariectomized Female SHR with High Fructose Intake–Induced Metabolic Syndrome

Women in postmenopausal period may present several comorbidities linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our hypothesis is that kefir may prevent the deleterious effects in renal function in an experimental model of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and ovarian hormone deficiency. Young female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into four groups: ovariectomized (OVX) control, OVX fructose, OVX kefir, and OVX kefir + fructose. They received kefir (5% w/v) via gavage for 8 weeks, while fructose (10% w/v) was available ad libitum. In ponderal parameters and glucose metabolism, we observe that fructose-overloaded groups (OF and OKF) showed increased weight, visceral fat, and fasting blood glucose. However, OKF partially reduced glycemic peak in the glucose tolerance test. Moreover, the standard method for the measurement of renal function showed that OF and OKF groups had a reduction in glomerular filtration rate, and surprisingly OKF exhibited increased renal flow (RBF and RPF) and decreased resistance (RVR). These might be associated with the findings in oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, in which kefir in the OKF group was capable of increasing total nitrogen oxides (NOx), attenuate the generation of hydrogen peroxide (DCF) and peroxynitrite (HPF), and also decreased the elevated microalbuminuria promoted by fructose even though the systemic blood pressure between the groups did not differ. Taking together our results, in the present study, kefir showed favorable effects in the model of metabolic syndrome and ovarian hormone deficiency (OKF), potentially protecting the kidney from the deleterious effects of fructose.