Protective Roles of Prebiotics and Probiotics Against Environmental Pollutant-Induced Toxicities: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies.

Abstract

Environmental pollutants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and mycotoxins, cause various adverse health effects linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. These toxicities disrupt gut microbiota composition and function, which prebiotics and probiotics may counteract. This study systematically reviewed the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and commensal gut microbiota on pollutant-induced toxicities in animal models. A literature search was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to January 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool, and reliability was evaluated with the ToxRTool. Fifty-four studies investigating prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, or commensal microbiota in rats, mice, or zebrafish were included. While 98% of studies were considered reliable, only 18% were rated as good quality due to biases in selection, performance, and detection. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and gut microbiota reduced heavy metal absorption and increased fecal excretion. They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants. Overall, this review supports the role of microbiota, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in mitigating pollutant-induced toxicities, though future studies should address common bias issues.