Therapeutic effect of Streptococcus thermophilus (MTCC 1938) on acetaminophen induced uremia in experimental rats

Uremia is a major feature of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Studies were conducted with a standard urease producing probiotic strain, Streptococcus thermophilus (MTCC 1938) to explore the effectiveness of probiotic organism against uremia. The therapeutic potential of the probiotic bacterium was tested against acetaminophen (APAP) induced uremic rats. Supplementation of S. thermophilus in food resulted in improved uremic profile compared to positive control (PC) rats (no probiotic supplementation in food) during 15 d experimental period. Much lower concentration of plasma urea (77%), plasma creatinine (80%), urinary protein (68%) and urine glucose (68%) was found in the earlier. Significant increment of plasma glutathione (GSH) level (58%) in probiotic treated group was also noticed. Moreover, during the feeding with probiotic strain at a dose of 1x 10(9) CFU/mL bacteria, reduction of enterobacteria in faeces was observed. Notable biochemical changes were reflected in histopathological examination of kidney sections. The uremic profile of the probiotic induced rats was very much comparable with the negative control (NC), even found better for some parametric values. The present study suggests that S. thermophilus could be used as a novel alternative natural therapy for uremia, a major syndrome of CKD.