Isolation, structural characterization of polysaccharide from Cephalosporium sinensis mycelia and its anti-nephritic effects in adenine-induced CKD rats

Abstract In this study, a new polysaccharide (CSMP, Mw = 16,685 Da) was isolated and purified from Cephalosporium sinensis mycelia. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that CSMP consists of mannose, glucose and galactose. A detailed structural analysis revealed that CSMP has a backbone consisting of →2,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→, as well as two branched chains including of α-D-Manp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and α-D-Glcp-(1→4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-β-D-Galp-(1→2)-β-D-Manp-(1→ attached to C6 of →2,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→. Orally administrated CSMP showed renal protection function in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) rats. Further analysis demonstrated that CSMP increased relative abundance of the genera Lactobacillus group, Clostridium coccoides group and Bifidobacterium, and decreased Echerichia subgroup. CSMP increased acetate, propionate and butyrate levels both in colon and cecum. The mechanisms behind these effects could be related to the down-regulation nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) level by up-regulating expression of G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) and improvement regulatory T cells (Tregs) ratio by inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. These results indicated that CSMP could be developed as one of the potential drugs in the treatment of CKD.