Renoprotective effects of paramylon, a β-1,3-D-Glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis Z in a rodent model of chronic kidney disease

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 7;15(8):e0237086. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237086. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Paramylon is a novel β-glucan that is stored by Euglena gracilis Z, which is a unicellular photosynthesizing green alga with characteristics of both animals and plants. Recent studies have indicated that paramylon functions as an immunomodulator or a dietary fiber. Currently, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health problem, and there is no effective preventive treatment for CKD progression. However, paramylon may suppress the progression of CKD via the elimination of uremic toxins or modulation of gut microbiota, leading to the alleviation of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of paramylon in CKD rat model. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats with a 5/6 nephrectomy were given either a normal diet or a diet containing 5% paramylon for 8 weeks. Proteinuria was measured intermittently. Serum and kidney tissues were harvested after sacrifice. We performed a renal molecular and histopathological investigation, serum metabolome analysis, and gut microbiome analysis. The results showed that paramylon attenuated renal function, glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial injury, and podocyte injury in the CKD rat model. Renal fibrosis, tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, and proinflammatory cytokine gene expression levels tended to be suppressed with paramylon treatment. Further, paramylon inhibited the accumulation of uremic toxins, including tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related metabolites and modulated a part of CKD-related gut microbiota in the CKD rat model. In conclusion, we suggest that paramylon mainly inhibited the absorption of non-microbiota-derived uremic solutes, leading to protect renal injury via anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Paramylon may be a novel compound that can act against CKD progression.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Citric Acid Cycle / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Euglena gracilis / chemistry
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology
  • Glucans / isolation & purification
  • Glucans / pharmacology*
  • Glucans / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Intestinal Absorption / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / immunology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Male
  • Protective Agents / isolation & purification
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Proteinuria / blood
  • Proteinuria / drug therapy*
  • Proteinuria / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / blood
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / pathology
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / urine
  • Toxins, Biological / blood
  • Toxins, Biological / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Glucans
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Protective Agents
  • Toxins, Biological
  • paramylon

Grants and funding

Ms. Ayaka Nakashima and Dr. Kengo Suzuki are employees of euglena Co., Ltd. They adjusted the test concept, created a sample for this experiment (preparing resources), and discussed the results obtained. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.