Can probiotics enhance kidney function in sepsis-induced AKI

Administering probiotics over a period of 7 consecutive days in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with sepsis does not lead to a significant improvement in kidney function recovery (KFR) or other clinical parameters compared to a placebo, according to a study.

In this double-blind clinical trial, 92 patients received either probiotics (n = 48) or a placebo (n = 44). The primary objectives were to assess the effect on KFR, mortality, need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT), urea levels, urine volume, serum electrolytes, and monitor any adverse events at the end of the 7-day period.

The study did not yield evidence supporting a higher probability of KFR in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. There was no significant benefit observed in terms of mortality at the 6-month mark.

However, patients receiving probiotics experienced a noteworthy reduction in urea levels, a positive outcome not replicated in the placebo arm (reducing from 154 to 80 mg/dl, P = 0.04, and from 130 to 109 mg/dl, P = 0.09, respectively). Other metrics such as urinary volume, the requirement for KRT, electrolyte balance, and adverse events remained comparable between the groups.

Reference
Chávez-Íñiguez JS, Ibarra-Estrada M, Gallardo-González AM, et al. Probiotics in septic acute kidney injury, a double blind, randomized control trial. Ren Fail. 2023;45(2):2260003. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2023.2260003. Epub 2023 Sep 19. PMID: 37724527.