Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2025
Prevention of Heat Stress Adverse Effects in Rats by Bacillus subtilis Strain
Published on: July 11, 2016
Protective and Therapeutic Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria against Aflatoxin B1 Toxicity to Rat Organs
Hayat Ashi1,2, Meshal H K Almalki1,2, Enas A Hamed3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Aflatoxin (AF), a metabolite of Aspergillus flavus, is injurious to vital body organs. The bacterial defense against such mycotoxins has attracted significant attention. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to ameliorate AF toxicity.
Methods:
Thirty adult male rats were divided into six groups (five each) to perform the experiments. The control (Co) group was fed a basal diet and water. Each of the following periods lasted 21 days: the milk (MK) group orally received milk (500 µL); LAB suspension (500 µL) containing 107 cfu/mL was orally provided to the LAB group; AF (0.5 mg/kg) was orally given to the AF group; and a combination of AF and LAB was administered to the AF + LAB group. The AF/LAB group was initially given AF for 21 days, followed by LAB for the same period. Finally, the rats were dissected to retrieve blood and tissue samples for hematological, biochemical, and histological studies.
Results:
The results revealed a significant decrease in RBCs, lymphocytes, total proteins, eosinophil count, albumin, and uric acid, whereas the levels of WBCs, monocytes, neutrophils, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine kinase significantly increased in the AF group in comparison to the control group. The histological examination of the AF group revealed necrosis and apoptosis of the kidney's glomeruli and renal tubules, nuclei vacuolization and apoptosis of hepatocytes, congestion of the liver's dilated portal vein, lymphoid depletion in the white pulp, localized hemorrhages, hemosiderin pigment deposition in the spleen, and vacuolization of seminiferous tubules with a complete loss of testis spermatogenic cells. Meanwhile, protective and therapeutic LAB administration in AF-treated rats improved the hematological, biochemical, and histological changes.
Conclusions:
The study revealed LAB-based amelioration to AFB1-induced disruptions of the kidney, liver, spleen, and testis by inhibiting tissue damage. The therapeutic effects of LAB were comparatively more pronounced than the protective effects.
Insights
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) protect against aflatoxin (AF) toxicity by improving organ health. Therapeutic LAB administration showed more significant benefits than protective measures against AF-induced damage.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Microbiology
- Animal Science
Background:
- Aflatoxins (AF) are toxic fungal metabolites detrimental to vital organs.
- Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are recognized for their potential to mitigate mycotoxin effects.
- Investigating bacterial defense mechanisms against mycotoxins is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of LAB against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced toxicity in rats.
- To assess the impact of LAB on hematological, biochemical, and histological parameters affected by AFB1.
Main Methods:
- Adult male rats were divided into six groups: control, milk, LAB, AFB1, AFB1 + LAB (protective), and AFB1/LAB (therapeutic).
- Interventions included oral administration of milk, LAB suspension, or AFB1 (0.5 mg/kg) for 21 days.
- Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for hematological, biochemical, and histological changes.
Main Results:
- AFB1 exposure significantly altered hematological and biochemical markers, including decreased RBCs and increased WBCs, creatinine, and liver enzymes.
- Histological examination revealed AFB1-induced necrosis, apoptosis, and tissue damage in the kidney, liver, spleen, and testes.
- LAB administration, particularly therapeutic, ameliorated these hematological, biochemical, and histological disruptions.
Conclusions:
- LAB effectively ameliorates AFB1-induced damage in the kidney, liver, spleen, and testis.
- Therapeutic administration of LAB demonstrated more pronounced protective effects against AFB1 toxicity than prophylactic administration.
More Related Videos
08:25Advanced 3D Liver Models for In vitro Genotoxicity Testing Following Long-Term Nanomaterial Exposure
Published on: June 5, 2020
09:21Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Transgenic Maize Expressing the α-amylase Inhibitor from Lablab purpureus L.
Published on: February 15, 2019