Correlation between intestinal colony numbers and inflammation markers (TNF-Alpha, IL-6, high-sensitive CRP) following the use of sevelamer in rats with kidney failure

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of sevelamer in experimentally induced renal failure (RF) and whether this effect was related to a decrease in Escherichia coli colony counts in feces. Material and Methods: Eighteen female Wistar albino rats weighted 200-250 g were divided into three groups. RF was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. Group 1 was the control group. Group 2 rats were those with induced RF receiving a high phosphate diet. Group 3 contained rats with induced RF receiving a high phosphate diet + sevelamer. E.coli count in feces, plasma creatinine, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations were determined at the beginning and at the end of 1st, 3rd and 6th weeks in all rats. Results: In Group 2 and 3, creatinine concentrations were found to be increased (p=0.03, p=0.02) in the 1st week. In Group 2, there was an increase in number of E. coli colony count in the 3rd week (p=0.05). In group 3, E. coli colony count and levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP, TNF-alfa) significantly were increased in comparison to the basal values (p=0.042, p=0.021, p=0.042, respectively) in the 1st week. In group 3, in the sixth week, E. coli colony count (p=0.02) and levels of inflammatory markers (IL-6, hsCRP, TNF-alpha) (p<0.05) were found to be significantly decreased in comparison to the 1st week levels. Conclusion: Anti-inflammatory effects of sevelamer might be explained by its effects on the bacterial colonization in colon. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.