Effect of Poria cocos on Renal Injury and Gut Microbiota in Hyperuricemic Rats

Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for many diseases, and in turn is caused by purine metabolism disorder and the decrease of uric acid (UA) excretion. Therefore, reducing the production of UA and promoting the excretion of UA are significant ways to alleviate hyperuricemia. Although Poria cocos is an important fungus that can be used for both food and medicinal purpose, at present, there are few studies on the anti-hyperuricemic activity of P. cocos. In this context, the current study aimed to evaluate the anti-hyperuricemic effect of P. cocos powder in mice, and elucidate the underlying mechanism from the perspectives of the production and excretion of UA. The results showed that P. cocos powder significantly reduced the serum level of UA (P < 0.001) and inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in the serum and liver of hyperuricemic rats. In addition, P. cocos powder remarkably improved renal function, glomerular atrophy, and renal tubule dilatation in hyperuricemic rats. Meanwhile, P. cocos powder significantly increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Alistipes and Parabacteroides, and significantly reduce the relative abundance of Firmicutes in the intestinal tract. These results speculated that P. cocos powder could promote the excretion of UA to reduce serum UA concentration by alleviating kidney damage and regulating the intestinal flora. These findings are conducive to the discovery of local specialties, and also provide some theoretical reference for the development of P. cocos related products.