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Fucoxanthin ameliorates high-fat diet-induced kidney injury in mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2025

Zhongliang Liu ,
Baogui Xu ,
Jiawen Zheng ,
Yizhou Tian ,
Zuisu Yang Open the ORCID record for Zuisu Yang [Opens in a new window]  and
Huiyang Shi
Zhongliang Liu
Affiliation:
Department of Oncology, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
Baogui Xu
Affiliation:
Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical Products, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
Jiawen Zheng
Affiliation:
Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical Products, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
Yizhou Tian
Affiliation:
Department of Oncology, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
Zuisu Yang*
Affiliation:
Zhejiang Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Marine Biomedical Products, School of Food and Pharmacy, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
Huiyang Shi*
Affiliation:
Department of Oncology, Zhoushan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhoushan, People’s Republic of China
*
Corresponding authors: Zuisu Yang; Email: abc1967@126.com; Huiyang Shi; Email: shy_188188@163.com
Corresponding authors: Zuisu Yang; Email: abc1967@126.com; Huiyang Shi; Email: shy_188188@163.com
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Abstract

Consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) is closely associated with lipid metabolism disorders and renal injury, often leading to ectopic lipid deposition, chronic inflammation, and subsequent functional impairment. Fucoxanthin (Fx), a marine-derived carotenoid, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may offer protective benefits against metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to investigate whether Fx alleviates HFD-induced kidney injury and to explore the potential mechanisms, with emphasis on oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways. Using a male C57BL/6J mouse model of H-induced nephropathy, we evaluated the effects of Fx supplementation on renal function, tissue morphology, oxidative damage markers, and inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, gut microbiota composition was preliminarily analyzed via 16S rDNA sequencing. The results demonstrated that Fx significantly improved renal function and reduced histological damage in the kidney. It also lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, Fx administration improved systemic lipid profiles and metabolic health. Although shifts in gut microbial communities were observed following Fx treatment, their direct relevance to renal outcomes requires further investigation. In conclusion, fucoxanthin exerts notable renoprotective effects against HFD-induced kidney injury, largely through mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting its potential as a nutraceutical agent for preventing obesity-related renal dysfunction.

Keywords

FucoxanthinKidney injuryHigh-fat dietInflammation

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 134 , Issue 6 , 28 September 2025 , pp. 441 - 450
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Nutrition Society

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Footnotes

†

First authorship: These authors share first authorship.

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