Evaluation of toxicological effects of chemical substances by gut microbiota: The example of adenine damage to the kidney and gut

This study explored the effects of different doses of adenine intake on mice in terms of kidney function, oxidative stress and gut content microbiota to elucidate interactions between adenine-induced kidney function impairment and gut content microbiota disorder. Mice were gavaged with low-dosage adenine suspension (NML), middle-dosage adenine suspension (NMM), high-dosage adenine suspension (NMH) and sterile water (NC). Behaviour, kidney structure and function, colonic structure, oxidative stress and gut content microbiota were detected. Mice in NML, NMM, and NMH groups had significantly lower body weight, anal temperature and food intake, increased water intake, the mice had loose and deformed feces with obvious water stains through the paper. NMM mice presented significantly structural damage to kidney and colonic tissues, considerably higher BUN and Cr, MDA and lower SOD. MDA and SOD levels in NMM and NMH groups were closely associated with Cr and BUN. Moreover, different doses of adenine intake effected the mice gut content microbiota, and enriched the different characteristic bacteria. Characteristic bacteria Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium presented significant correlations with MDA. Eventually, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium mediated oxidative stress pathway involved in the process of adenine-induced kidney injure in mice.