Synbiotic Supplementation And Oxalate Homeostasis In Rats: Focus On Microbiota Oxalate-Degrading Activity

Abstract Background The present study aimed (i) to evaluate whether ceftriaxone treatment could affect not only intestinal oxalate-degrading bacteria number but their total activity to degrade oxalate and influence oxalate homeostasis in rats, (ii) to test the effect of commercially available probiotics and a synbiotic on total fecal oxalate-degrading activity, (iii) and to estimate the ability of synbiotic to restore fecal oxalate-degrading activity and ceftriaxone-induced disruption of oxalate homeostasis in rats. Methods Twenty-eight female Wistar rats (200-300 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 7). Group 1 was treated with vehicle sterile water (0.1 ml, i.m., 14 days); Group 2 received synbiotic (30 mg/kg, per os, 14 days); Group 3 was treated with ceftriaxone (300 mg/kg, i.m., 7 days); Group 4 was supplemented with ceftriaxone and synbiotic. Oxalate-degrading bacteria number and their total activity, urinary and plasma oxalate concentrations were measured on days 1 and 57 after the treatment withdrawal. Results Ceftriaxone treatment reduced total fecal oxalate-degrading activity independently on oxalate-degrading bacteria number and increased urinary and plasma oxalate concentrations. The synbiotic had a high oxalate-degrading activity vs probiotics and was able to restore fecal oxalate-degrading activity and significantly decrease urinary oxalate excretion in antibiotic-treated rats. Conclusion Total fecal oxalate-degrading activity but not oxalate-degrading bacteria number should be thoroughly examined in the future to develop predictive diagnostics methods, targeted prevention and personalized treatment in kidney stone disease. Synbiotic supplementation had a beneficial effect on the total oxalate-degrading activity of gut microbiota, which resulted in decreased UOx excretion in rats.