In vivo AFB₁ detoxification by Lactobacillus fermentum LC5/a with chlorophyll and immunopotentiating activity in...

The potential Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) binding Lactobacillus fermentum (LC5/a) was used for in vivo AFB₁ binding and detoxification in presence of chlorophyll (CL) in male Swiss albino mice. Mice were randomly divided into seven groups. The control groups (CL, AFB₁ and LC5/a) received chlorophyll (250 μg/kg b.w), AFB₁ (100 μg/kg b.w) and LC5/a (1 × 10⁸ CFU) for 21 days. The treatment group (AFB₁+LC5/a) received 100 μl of lyophilized bacterial suspension (1 × 10⁸ CFU) 2 h before the AFB₁ dosage (100μg/kg b.w). The chlorophyll mice group (CL + AFB₁) was given single oral dose of CL (250 μg/kg b.w) before AFB₁ dosage and last mice group received the combination of CL + LC5/a before the AFB₁ dosage over a period of 21 days. Ballooning of cytoplasm and necrosis in liver was evident in histopathological examination of AFB₁ mice group, while, marked improvement and nearly normal histology were seen in LC5/a and CL treated mice group. The levels of AST, ALT, GST, and SOD were increased in AFB₁ mice group compared to LC5/a and CL treated mice group. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-12, IL-6 (324, 506, 117.25 pg/ml) were observed in AFB₁ treated mice serum compared to LC5/a and CL treated mice (249.54, 322.01 and 82.35 pg/ml). Thus, Lactobacillus fermentum LC5/a has certainly sequestered AFB₁ from gastrointestinal tract besides regulating the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.