Probiotics ameliorate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by modulating the phenotype of macrophages through the IL-10/GSK-3β/PTEN signaling pathway.

After renal ischemic reperfusion injury, a series of pathological changes, such as impaired intestinal barrier function, intestinal flora, and endotoxin translocation, are caused by intestinal ischemia and hypoxia, which then trigger systemic inflammatory responses and affect the condition and prognosis of the patients. In this study, a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by examining changes in renal function, intestinal barrier function, inflammatory index, oxidative stress, and macrophage phenotypes to evaluate the effect of probiotic VSL#3 on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. The results showed that, after VSL#3 intervention, the levels of BUN, Scr, Cys C, PRO, and NGAL were all significantly decreased compared with the I/R group, while the value of Ccr showed a significant increase. In addition, the concentrations of MPO, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, ED-1, and PCNA were all significantly lower than those in the I/R group, while the levels of endotoxin, DOA, and D-lactic acid were significantly decreased. Furthermore, the proteins associated with intestinal barrier functions, such as ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1, were significantly upregulated compared with the I/R group. Overall, the VSL#3 intervention group was able to maintain the required number of beneficial intestinal flora and to inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria. At the same time, the VSL#3 intervention could also prevent the decrease in the levels of CAT, GSH-PX, H