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Multi-Strain Probiotic and Bee Pollen Supplementation Attenuates CCl4-Induced Altered Intestinal Tight Junctions in
Nada Alsayari1, Ramesa Shafi Bhat1, Seema Zargar1
1Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) exposure damages the gut barrier. Probiotics effectively restored gut microbial balance and tight junction biomarkers, outperforming prebiotics in mitigating CCl4-induced intestinal damage in rats.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Toxicology
- Microbiology and Immunology
Background:
- Environmental toxins can disrupt gut microbiota and intestinal permeability, leading to health issues.
- Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a known toxin, but its specific impact on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction is under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) on intestinal epithelial barrier function.
- To evaluate the therapeutic and protective potential of probiotics and prebiotics against CCl4-induced gut barrier disruption.
Main Methods:
- 54 male albino rats were divided into nine groups, receiving saline, probiotics, prebiotics, or CCl4 with or without probiotic/prebiotic interventions.
- Measurements included gut bacterial populations, serum Occludin and Zonulin levels (intestinal permeability biomarkers), and histopathological analysis.
- Interventions involved 4 weeks of probiotic/prebiotic administration either before or after CCl4 exposure.
Main Results:
- CCl4 administration induced significant intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction and histopathological alterations.
- Probiotic treatment demonstrated superior efficacy compared to prebiotics in normalizing serum Occludin and Zonulin levels.
- Probiotics restored microbial balance by suppressing pathogenic bacteria, while prebiotics offered partial protection.
Conclusions:
- CCl4 exposure causes significant damage to the intestinal barrier.
- Probiotic supplementation is effective in restoring gut microbial balance and normalizing tight junction biomarkers, thereby ameliorating CCl4-induced gut barrier disruption.
- Probiotics show greater therapeutic potential than prebiotics for CCl4-induced intestinal damage.
