Blueberry ellagic acid attenuates potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemia and renal injury in mice

To investigate the effect of blueberry ellagic acid (BEA) on hyperuricemia, a hyperuricemia model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate (300 mg/kg). Renal function indicators, histopathology, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress indicators, and intestinal microbiota and metabolites were subsequently analyzed. The results revealed that BEA significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in the kidneys; improved the antioxidant capacity of hyperuricemic mice; reduced the levels of proinflammatory factors; reduced the uric acid level by regulation of glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), urate transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1); increased the richness of the gut microbiota; and improved the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in the formation of differentially abundant metabolites that were enriched mainly in amino acid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism and the lysine degradation pathway. Conclusively, BEA reduces oxidative damage and inflammation, improves the intestinal microbiota, and regulates amino acid and lipid metabolism, thereby alleviating hyperuricemia.