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Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 supplementation attenuates Pb-induced learning and memory deficits by
Xiaozhen Gu1,2, Nanxi Bi1,2, Tian Wang1,2
1Engineering Research Center of Bio-process, Ministry of Education, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China.
Insights
Lead exposure impairs learning and memory by altering gut bacteria. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 probiotic therapy reversed these cognitive deficits and restored gut health in adolescent rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Early-life lead (Pb) exposure is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, including cognitive deficits.
- The gut microbiome, via the microbiome-gut-brain axis, influences nervous system function.
- The efficacy of probiotics in mitigating Pb-induced cognitive impairment remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on Pb-induced learning and memory deficits in adolescent rats.
- To explore the impact of probiotics on gut microbiota composition and the microbiome-gut-brain axis following Pb exposure.
Main Methods:
- Adolescent rats were exposed to lead (Pb) for two months.
- Rats were treated with specific probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1.
- Spatial learning and memory were assessed, alongside gut microbiota diversity, gut permeability, and cytokine expression.
Main Results:
- Pb exposure impaired spatial learning and memory, reduced gut microbiota diversity, and decreased Lactobacillus abundance.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 administration, but not other tested strains, reversed Pb-induced cognitive deficits.
- L. rhamnosus GR-1 normalized gut microbiota, reduced gut permeability, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6), and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (G-CSF) expression.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 shows potential as a therapeutic agent for Pb-induced cognitive dysfunction.
- The findings highlight the critical role of L. rhamnosus GR-1 in restoring gut health and mitigating neurotoxicity associated with lead exposure.
- This study identifies a novel probiotic strategy for addressing early-life lead exposure-related cognitive impairments.
Abstract:
Lead (Pb) exposure during early life has been associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, including learning and memory deficits. The intestinal flora, via the microbiome-gut-brain axis, could play a significant role in the nervous system. However, the effects of probiotics on ameliorating Pb-induced learning and memory deficits are still unclear. In this study, we showed that adolescent Pb exposure (150 ppm) for 2 months impaired spatial learning and memory ability, accompanied by the decreasing diversity of gut microbiota, and the decreasing abundance of Lactobacillus at the genus level. Surprisingly, administration of the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 (1010 organisms/rat/day), not L. rhamnosus LGG or Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14, reversed learning and memory deficits induced by Pb exposure. Meanwhile, administration of the L. rhamnosus GR-1 increased the diversity of the gut microbiota composition and partially normalized the genus level of Lactobacillus, Parabacteroides, Enterococcus, and Akkermansia in Pb-exposed rats. Notably, supplementation of L. rhamnosus GR-1 decreased the gut permeability of Pb-exposed rats, reduced proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6] expression, and promoted anti-inflammatory cytokines [granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] expression. Interestingly, neural cell treatment with G-CSF rescued Pb-induced neurotoxicity. In general, L. rhamnosus GR-1 supplementation recovered the Pb-induced loss of intestinal bacteria (Lactobacillus), which may have reversed the damage to learning and memory ability. Collectively, our findings demonstrate an unexpectedly pivotal role of L. rhamnosus GR-1 in Pb-induced cognitive deficits and identify a potential probiotic therapy for cognitive dysfunction during early life.
