According to research reviewed by Gram, a probiotic called Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae LB-P22 reduced kidney scarring and inflammation in mice with kidney injury. The higher dose, one billion colony-forming units daily, produced the clearest benefits, including better antioxidant defenses and healthier mitochondria. Human studies are still needed.
A 2026 study reviewed by Gram found that a probiotic bacteria strain, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae LB-P22, may protect the kidneys from scarring in mice. The researchers used a diet containing adenine, a compound that damages the kidneys and causes changes similar to chronic kidney disease. Mice given the higher dose of the probiotic, one billion colony-forming units per day, had less scarring, less inflammation, and better kidney function than untreated mice. The probiotic also appeared to restore balance in the energy-producing parts of kidney cells, called mitochondria, and to reduce harmful molecules that damage cells. These results are promising, but they come from animal experiments. Human studies are needed before anyone can know whether this probiotic would help people with kidney disease.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study published in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine found that mice given one billion colony-forming units per day of the probiotic Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae LB-P22 showed less kidney scarring than untreated mice with adenine-induced kidney injury.
In the same 2026 mouse study, the probiotic lowered levels of inflammatory messengers TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta while increasing antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in kidney tissue.
The 2026 mouse study reported that the probiotic’s kidney benefits were statistically significant mainly at the higher dose of one billion CFU per day, with weaker effects at the lower dose of 100 million CFU.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a probiotic bacteria strain could protect the kidneys from scarring and damage, and how it might work inside kidney cells.
- Who participated: Laboratory mice, not people. The mice were fed a diet containing adenine for three weeks to injure their kidneys. The exact number of mice was not stated in the study information provided.
- Key finding: Mice given the higher dose of the probiotic, one billion colony-forming units (CFU) per day, had less kidney scarring, less inflammation, and better kidney function. The lower dose produced weaker effects that did not reach the same level of statistical significance, meaning the results were less reliable.
- What it means for you: Nothing changes for people yet. This is early animal research, and it does not show that this probiotic treats kidney disease in humans. If you have kidney concerns, talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement or changing your diet.
The Research Details
Researchers first damaged the kidneys of mice by feeding them a diet containing 0.75% adenine for three weeks. Adenine is a natural compound that can build up in the kidneys and cause injury, creating a model that resembles chronic kidney disease in people. This approach lets scientists study kidney damage in a controlled way that would not be possible in people.
Beginning one week before the adenine diet started, the mice received the probiotic by mouth once a day until the study ended on day 28. Two doses were tested: 100 million CFU and one billion CFU. CFU, or colony-forming units, is a way of counting live bacteria. Comparing the two doses helped the researchers see whether the probiotic’s effects grew stronger as the amount increased.
After the study period, the team examined kidney tissue, measured inflammation signals and antioxidant levels, and looked closely at the energy-producing structures inside kidney cells. They also tracked a protein called PDIA1 and a related process that controls how mitochondria divide and fuse. These detailed measurements help explain not just whether the probiotic worked, but how it may have worked.
Animal models let scientists test a treatment under tightly controlled conditions and look inside organs in ways that would be unsafe or impossible in people. This study’s detailed tissue and cell measurements make it easier to see a possible mechanism, which is a key first step before human trials can be designed. Still, mice are not people, so the results only point toward what might be worth testing next.
The study used a recognized animal model of kidney fibrosis, measured many separate markers of damage, and tested two doses, which strengthens confidence that the effects were connected to the probiotic. However, the summary does not state how many mice were used, and the strongest statistical improvements were seen mainly at the higher dose. Animal results often do not translate directly to humans, so this study should be viewed as early-stage evidence.
What the Results Show
The main result was that mice given the higher dose of the probiotic had less kidney scarring than mice that received adenine alone. Scarring, called fibrosis, is the hardening of kidney tissue that gradually reduces how well the kidneys work. The probiotic also helped slow this process by reducing the signals that drive it, including a molecular pathway linked to scar formation.
The probiotic also lowered levels of inflammatory signals such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1beta. These are chemical messengers that help the body respond to injury, but when they stay high for long periods, they can keep damaging tissue. Lower levels suggest the probiotic may calm the body’s inflammatory response in the kidneys.
The researchers also measured the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, enzymes that neutralize harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, increased with treatment. At the same time, malondialdehyde, a marker of cell damage caused by these molecules, went down. Together, these changes suggest the kidneys were under less oxidative stress.
Finally, the study found that the probiotic appeared to shift how mitochondria behave. In kidney injury, mitochondria tended to split apart too much and fuse together too little, which can harm cells. The probiotic partly reversed this pattern, and it was linked to lower levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Because the researchers also observed changes in PDIA1 and in a modification of the Drp1 protein, they suggest this is one pathway through which the probiotic may work.
The probiotic appeared to increase PDIA1, an enzyme that helps cells maintain healthy protein structure, in kidneys treated with the higher dose. At the same time, a chemical modification of Drp1 called sulfenylation moved in the opposite direction, consistent with PDIA1’s known role in reducing that modification. These patterns support the idea that the probiotic affects mitochondrial control through a specific molecular switch rather than through a general effect. The study also reported that the probiotic partly restored the balance of several genes that control mitochondrial shape and function.
Researchers have been exploring probiotics for kidney health for several years, and many earlier studies focused on gut bacteria and their effects on toxins that the kidneys must clear. This study adds a more detailed look at how a specific probiotic strain may act directly on kidney cells and their mitochondria. Its findings fit with a broader view that inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage are important drivers of chronic kidney disease. Human evidence for probiotics in kidney disease remains limited and mixed, so this mouse study is best seen as a step toward, not a confirmation of, a clinical benefit.
The study was done in mice fed a diet designed to injure their kidneys, which is not identical to the way kidney disease develops in people. The summary does not report how many mice were studied, which makes it harder to judge how strong and consistent the results are. The clearest benefits appeared at the higher dose, and the lower dose showed weaker effects. The study also does not show whether the probiotic is safe or effective for long-term use in humans, and it does not test whether it would slow kidney failure or improve survival.
The Bottom Line
Based on this study alone, there is not yet enough evidence to recommend this probiotic for kidney disease. Confidence is low-to-moderate that the probiotic protected kidney tissue in mice, because the findings are consistent across several measurements. Confidence is low that the same effect would occur in people. Any future recommendation should wait for well-designed human trials that measure real kidney outcomes.
People with chronic kidney disease, their families, and clinicians who follow emerging research may find this study interesting as an early signal. Researchers developing probiotic or antioxidant therapies will likely find the mechanism data useful. People without kidney concerns do not need to change anything based on this study. Anyone with kidney disease should not replace prescribed treatment with a probiotic without medical guidance.
Animal studies like this one usually take several years to be tested in people, often through small safety trials first and then larger studies. Even if human trials begin soon, it may take many years before any probiotic is shown to help kidney health and become an approved option. In the meantime, proven steps such as blood pressure control, blood sugar management, and medical follow-up remain the most reliable ways to protect kidney health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can probiotics help protect your kidneys from disease?
Current evidence is limited. A 2026 mouse study found that the probiotic Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae LB-P22 reduced kidney scarring at a dose of one billion CFU daily. Human research is still needed before probiotics can be recommended for kidney disease.
What did the probiotic kidney study find in mice?
Mice given one billion colony-forming units daily had less kidney scarring, lower inflammation, and better antioxidant activity than untreated mice. Changes in mitochondrial balance and PDIA1 levels also suggested a possible mechanism, though the study was done only in animals.
Is it safe to take a probiotic if I have chronic kidney disease?
Safety depends on your health history, medications, and kidney function, so consult your doctor before starting any probiotic. This 2026 study tested a specific strain in mice only and did not evaluate long-term human safety.
How do kidney scarring and mitochondria relate to chronic kidney disease?
Kidney scarring, called fibrosis, gradually reduces kidney function over time. Mitochondria are the energy-producing parts of cells, and when they divide too much or fuse too little, cells can be damaged. The 2026 mouse study linked probiotic treatment with healthier mitochondrial balance.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track daily probiotic use if you take a supplement, and log any kidney-related lab results your doctor shares, such as eGFR and creatinine, on a monthly or per-visit basis. Note any changes in fluid intake, urine output, or swelling each week so you can share clear patterns with your healthcare team.
- Use the app to set reminders for regular fluid intake, daily blood pressure checks if your doctor recommends them, and weekly meal logs that emphasize vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Ask your doctor before adding any probiotic, and if approved, log the product name and dose so you can track its effects alongside your lab results.
- Review your logs every month to look for trends in blood pressure, kidney lab values, and symptoms such as fatigue or swelling. Share a summary with your healthcare provider at each appointment. Update your tracking goals whenever new human research on probiotics and kidney health is published, and keep a note of any supplement you start or stop.
This article summarizes an early-stage animal study and is for general education only. The research was conducted in mice, and its results may not apply to people. It is not medical advice. Anyone with kidney disease or other health concerns should talk with a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any probiotic, supplement, or treatment.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.