Lactobacillus Cocktail Potentially Alleviated the Toxic Effects of Zearalenone in Mice Receiving a Zearalenone-Contaminated Diet.

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a prevalent immunosuppressive and estrogenic metabolite synthesized by certain species of Fusarium fungi. This mycotoxin has a propensity to contaminate food and feed products, leading to immune system suppression and reproductive disorders. Therefore, the mitigation of ZEN production and the amelioration of its toxic effects are critical components in the management of ZEN contamination. This study aims to evaluate the Lactobacillus cocktail as a potential probiotic to reduce the toxicity of ZEN in mice receiving ZEN-contaminated food. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into three groups for the study. The control group (T1) received a standard diet, whereas Groups T2 and T3 were given diets contaminated with ZEN at 10 µg/g. Additionally, Group T3 received a Lactobacillus cocktail at 10⁹ colony-forming units (cfu)/g. ZEN levels were confirmed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). On Day 28, the mice were sacrificed, and blood, liver, and ileum samples were analyzed. According to the findings, the Lactobacillus cocktail effectively decreased the ZEN concentration in vitro by up to 64.5% (p < 0.05). Mice that consumed a meal contaminated with ZEN showed impairment in their daily weight, food intake, liver enzyme, lipid peroxidation, intestinal morphometric traits, and gene expression. Dietary inclusion of Lactobacillus cocktail as a potential probiotic significantly improved these parameters (p < 0.05). The Lactobacillus cocktail likely mitigated the toxic effects of ZEN by enhancing immune responses, improving antioxidant capacity, and reducing the bioavailability of ZEN in the intestine through non-covalent binding to the toxin.