Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Fecal AFB1 Metabolite in AFB1-Exposed Rats

Abstract

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a toxin produced by Aspergillus species of fungi.  Finding in the literature has shown the potential of probiotic treatment to alleviate AFB₁ toxicity. This study explores the effects of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal health, and excretion of fecal AFB₁ metabolite of AFB₁-exposed rats. Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, AFB₁, AFB₁+LcS and LcS groups. AFB₁ was given at a complete dosage of 25 µg AFB₁/kg body weight, while LcS supplementation at 2×10⁹ CFU/mL per day for four weeks. The average body weight of the AFB₁ group showed no significant increase from week 2 to 4, while other groups had an increment throughout the study. Besides, AFB₁ and AFB₁+LcS groups had significantly reduced food intake throughout the treatment. AFB₁ exposure caused several changes in the histomorphometry parameters but was normalized with LcS supplementation. Besides, all intestinal parts of the AFB₁ groups showed mild to moderate inflammation while only mild inflammation was observed in the jejunum and ileum of the AFB₁+LcS group. Fecal Bifidobacterium spp. counts showed an increment in three groups, while the AFB₁ group showed a significant reduction. In addition, the fecal AFB₁ in the AFB₁ group was significantly lower than in the AFB₁+LcS group. In conclusion, AFB₁ affected growth performance and intestinal health, and wherein the effect was alleviated by LcS supplementation. Further investigation on intestinal permeability and serum and urinary AFB₁ level is suggested to understand the mechanism of probiotic-AFB₁ interaction in alleviating AFB₁ toxicity.