Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HY7718 Attenuates Renal Injury in an Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease Mouse Model via Inhibition of Inflammation and Apoptosis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes a variety of health problems including renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to investigate whether the probiotic strain <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> HY7718 (HY7718) can protect against CKD using HK2 cells and a CKD mouse model, generated by feeding mice a diet containing 0.15% adenine. In vitro tests showed that HY7718 was anti-inflammatory in H₂O₂-treated HK2 cells and reduced apoptosis of tumor necrosis factor-α/cycloheximide-induced HK2 cells. In the adenine-induced CKD model, markers of renal dysfunction (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crea)) and inorganic calcium and phosphorus were markedly increased. However, oral administration of HY7718 (10⁸ colony-forming units/kg/day) significantly attenuated these increases. HY7718 also reduced the kidney histopathological score, including tubular necrosis, cast formation, and tubular dilatation, as well as the mononuclear cell infiltration score in kidney tissue, suggesting that it could reverse the progression of CKD. Additionally, HY7718 downregulated the renal expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and members of the TLR/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, HY7718 reduced tubule apoptotic cells and expression of apoptosis-related genes, indicating that it is potentially renoprotective. These results demonstrate that supplementation with the probiotic HY7718 can ameliorate CKD symptoms by improving renal function and reducing kidney injury.