Oxalobacter formigenes colonization slows the progression of CKD and reduces cardiac remodeling in CKD

Accumulation of oxalate in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with CKD progression and an increased risk of cardiac death. Whether reducing oxalate slows CKD progression and prevents cardiovascular complications remains unexplored. We colonized Oxalobacter formigenes (Oxf), an oxalate-degrading microbiome, in the intestines of control and CKD mice fed with 1% hydroxyproline for 23 weeks. RNA-seq analysis of heart tissues of CKD mice reveals dysregulated expression of metabolic pathways and Oxf colonization reverses these changes. These findings demonstrate that oxalate accumulation plays a role not only in CKD progression but also in cardiovascular complications.