Effect of High Protein Diet and Probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota Supplementation in Aflatoxin B₁-Induced Rats

Probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) is a potential decontaminating agent of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁). However, few studies have investigated the influence of diet, especially a high protein (HP) diet, on the binding of AFB₁ by probiotics. This research was conducted to determine the effect of HP diet on the ability of LcS to bind AFB₁ and reduce aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in AFB₁-induced rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: A (HP only), B (HP + 10⁸ CFU LcS + 25 μg AFB1/kg BW), and C (HP + 25 μg AFB1/kg BW). Levels of AST and ALP were higher in all groups but other liver function's biomarkers were in the normal range, and the liver's histology showed no structural changes. The urea level of rats in group B (10.02 ± 0.73 mmol/l) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of rats in group A (10.82 ± 0.26 mmol/l). The presence of carcinoma in the small intestine and colon was more obvious in group C than in group B. Moreover, rats in group B had significantly (p < 0.05) lower AFM₁ concentration (0.39 ± 0.01 ng/ml) than rats in group C (5.22 ± 0.28 ng/ml). Through these findings, LcS supplementation with HP diet alleviated the adverse effects of AFB₁ by preventing AFB₁ absorption in the small intestine and reducing urinary AFM₁.