Microbiota-Gut-Kidney Axis and Targeted Therapeutic Strategies in Kidney Diseases

The gut microbiota, as a source of profound genetic and metabolic capacity, affects every aspect of human biology including health, development and aging, as well as disease. Studies have demonstrated the crosstalk between the gut microbiota and the kidney, which is directly referred to as the "microbiota-gut-kidney axis". Most gut microbiota metabolites are associated with metabolic, immune, and inflammatory pathways. Disruption of gut microbiota homeostasis in patients with kidney disease contributes to further loss of kidney function, forming a vicious cycle. This discovery may provide a potential avenue of treatment for kidney diseases, creating a new therapeutic paradigm. Moreover, new therapeutic strategies seem to be beneficial for kidney health via the modulation of the gut microbiota. Although these strategies show early beneficial results, their long-term effectiveness and safety require further investigation and confirmation. In this review, we discuss the interactions between the gut microbiota and kidney diseases and explore related therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive understanding of the microbiota-gut-kidney axis will facilitate the development of efficient therapeutic measures for kidney diseases.