Mechanisms of Arctium lappa root polysaccharides in ameliorating chronic hyperuricemia and renal injury in mice

The results showed that, compared with the model group, mice in both ALRP dose groups exhibited significantly increased body weight and significantly reduced renal index; serum UA and Cre levels were significantly decreased, UACR was significantly elevated, and urinary U/C ratio was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); renal oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05 or P<0.01); histopathological scores of kidney tissue were significantly improved, with alleviated renal tubular damage and interstitial inflammation (P<0.05 or P<0.01); gut microbiota α-diversity was increased, β-diversity was significantly altered, the abundance of beneficial bacteria was elevated, and that of harmful bacteria was decreased; and fecal secondary bile acid content was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

In conclusion, ALRP exert significant renoprotective effects in chronic HUA mice, and the underlying mechanisms may be related to the reduction of serum uric acid levels, improvement of renal oxidative stress and inflammatory status, modulation of gut microbiota composition, and promotion of bile acid metabolism.