Manipulating the gut microbiome to decrease uremic toxins.

The uremic solute indoxyl sulfate has been associated with increased mortality and other adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease. In a recent study published in Cell Host & Microbe, Devlin et al. describe a novel approach to alter the production of indoxyl sulfate through manipulation of the gut microbiota. Although this approach is far from clinical application, it may allow investigators to determine the contribution of uremic solutes to disease pathogenesis.