Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1054

Effects of Propolis Supplementation on the Gut Microbiota in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Session Information

• Kidney Nutrition and Metabolism
  October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

• 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

• Mafra, Denise, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Denise Mafra, PhD

• Fonseca, Larissa dos Santos, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Larissa dos Santos Fonseca, PhD

• Ribeiro, Marcia Maria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcia Maria Ribeiro, PhD

• Schultz, Júnia, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Júnia Schultz

• Berretta, Andresa, Apis flora, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Andresa Berretta, PhD

• Ribeiro-Alves, Marcelo, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves

• Rosado, Alexandre, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Alexandre Rosado, MSc, PhD

Background

Several studies have shown that propolis (resin made by bees) could modulate gut microbiota in vitro and animal models. However, no study has been conducted on patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of propolis supplementation on the gut microbiota of CKD patients undergoing HD.

Methods

This is a longitudinal, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 42 patients randomized into two groups: one group received propolis (4 capsules of 100 mg/day containing concentrated and standardized dry EPP-AF^® green propolis extract), and the other group received a placebo (4 capsules of 100 mg/day containing microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide) for two months. Gut microbiota composition was assessed by extracting fecal DNA, PCR amplification of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and short-read sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq PE250 platform.

Results

Forty-one patients completed the study, with twenty in the placebo group [45.5 ± 14 years, seven men and 13 women, BMI 24.8± 6.8 kg/m², time on HD 44.5 ± 46.5 months, Kt/V 1.7 ± 0.58] and twenty-one in the propolis group [45 ± 12 years, eight men and 13 women, BMI 22.8 ± 3.7 kg/m², time on HD 68 ± 60 months, Kt/V 1.66 ± 0.44]. The obtained data revealed that propolis supplementation increased the gut microbiota’s evenness and richness (observed) (Fig. 1).

Conclusion

Short-term supplementation with EPP-AF^® propolis dry extract seems to increase the alpha diversity of gut microbiota in patients with CKD on HD.

Fig 1. Alpha-diversity of CKD (HD) patients’ gut microbiota on propolis and placebo supplementation. (A) Observed zOTUs (richness) and (B) Shannon index (diversity).

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.