1.Effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota Supplementation on Growth Performance, Intestinal Health, and Fecal AFB1 Metabolite in AFB1-Exposed Rats (Kesan Pemberian Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota terhadap Prestasi Pertumbuhan, Kesihatan Usus dan Metabolit AFB1 di dalam Najis Tikus Terdedah AFB1)
Muhammad Firdhaus Shaharudin ; Siti Raihanah Shafie ; Maizaton Atmadini Abdullah ; Fauzah Abd Ghani ; Mohd Redzwan Sabran
Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2024;22(No.2):67-82
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a toxin produced by Aspergillus species of fungi. Findings in the
literature has shown the potential of probiotic treatment to alleviate AFB1 toxicity. This study
explores the effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota (LcS) supplementation on the
growth performance, intestinal health, and excretion of faecal 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. The food intake of the AFB1 and AFB1+LcS
groups had significantly reduced throughout the treatment period. AFB1 exposure caused
several changes in the histomorphometry parameters but was normalised with LcS
supplementation. The AFB1 group showed mild to moderate inflammation in all intestinal parts,
whereas only mild inflammation was observed in the jejunum and ileum of the AFB1+LcS
group. Faecal Bifidobacterium spp. counts showed an increment in three groups, while the
AFB1 group showed a significant reduction. The faecal 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 effects were 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.