Thai Probiotic Strains Protect Against Diabetic Kidney Injury in HFD/STZ-induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats via Gut Microbiota Modulation

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder in which blood glucose levels remain abnormally high (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents the most common form of diabetes which frequently causes kidney inflammation that results in severe complications. Probiotics, which are live beneficial microbes, have been recognized for their supportive role in human health. This work examined three Thai probiotic strains, Limosilactobacillus reuteri TF314, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei MSMC39-1, and Bifidobacterium animalis TA1, for their ability to protect the kidneys in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet and treated with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce T2DM. Experimental animals were randomly divided into six groups: control, T2DM, TF314, MSMC39-1, TA1, and a mix group (TF314, MSMC39-1, and TA1). All the experimental rats received oral probiotic supplementation for four months. The probiotic treatments given to STZ-induced rats reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels and improved glucose tolerance. They also helped to reduce kidney injury by decreasing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations and by suppressing pro-inflammatory markers such as TNF-α while raising IL-6. Moreover, changes in gut microbiota were observed, particularly the restoration of gut symbionts Akkermansia muciniphila and an increase in L. reuteri that may underlie better glycemic control and renal protection. The histological examination revealed that probiotic-treated rats experienced reduced kidney tissue damage. This study demonstrates that Thai probiotic strains show potential to minimize kidney problems which occur in T2DM patients.