Lactic acid bacteria alleviate di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced liver and testis toxicity via their bio-binding capacity, antioxidant capacity and regulation of the gut microbiota

Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2: potential bacteria for eliminating bisphenol A and reducing BpA-induced lipid accumulation

Bisphenol A (BpA) is an endocrine-disrupting substance commonly found in plastics and resins. It is reported that BpA exposure induces lipid accumulation in humans, similar to obesogenic compounds. The main objective of this study is to investigate the removal of BpA using Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2, and to examine its potential for reducing BpA-induced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cell line model. The heat-dried cells of Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 showed 69.7% removal efficiency for initial BpA concentration of 10 μg/mL, which was 30.5% higher than the live cells. The absence of metabolites or intermediates in BpA removal studies indicates that the Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 strain removed BpA by adsorption process. The hydrophobic interactions of heat-dried Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 cells were observed to be higher with 33.7% compared to live cells (15.0%), suggesting a stronger ability to bind with BpA. Although the BpA binding onto Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 was not affected by pH, it was confirmed that as the temperature increases, the binding ability got decreased due to mass transfer and diffusion of BpA molecules. Treatment with Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1%) reduced lipid accumulation by 61.7, 58.0, 52.7 and 60.4% in 3T3-L1 cells exposed with BpA. In addition, it was confirmed that Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 treatment suppressed the protein expression levels of lipogenesis-related PPARγ and C/EBPα in 3T3-L1 cells. The results of the study suggest that the Lactiplantibacillus sp. D10-2 strain can remove BpA and reduce BpA-accelerated lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Gut microbiota is involved in male reproductive function: a review

Globally, ~8%-12% of couples confront infertility issues, male-related issues being accountable for 50%. This review focuses on the influence of gut microbiota and their metabolites on the male reproductive system from five perspectives: sperm quality, testicular structure, sex hormones, sexual behavior, and probiotic supplementation. To improve sperm quality, gut microbiota can secrete metabolites by themselves or regulate host metabolites. Endotoxemia is a key factor in testicular structure damage that causes orchitis and disrupts the blood-testis barrier (BTB). In addition, the gut microbiota can regulate sex hormone levels by participating in the synthesis of sex hormone-related enzymes directly and participating in the enterohepatic circulation of sex hormones, and affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis. They can also activate areas of the brain that control sexual arousal and behavior through metabolites. Probiotic supplementation can improve male reproductive function. Therefore, the gut microbiota may affect male reproductive function and behavior; however, further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying microbiota-mediated male infertility.

Adsorption Characterization of Lactobacillus sp. for Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the widely detected plasticizer in foods whose exposure is associated with a myriad of human disorders. The present study focused on identifying Lactobacillus strains with high adsorption potential towards DEHP and further elucidating the mechanism of binding using HPLC, FTIR and SEM. Two strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 25,433, were found to rapidly adsorb more than 85% of DEHP in 2 h. Binding potential remained unaffected by heat treatment. Moreover, acid pre-treatment enhanced the DEHP adsorption. Chemical pre-treatments, such as NaIO4, pronase E or lipase, caused reduction in DEHP adsorption to 46% (LGG), 49% (MTCC 25,433) and 62% (MTCC 25,433), respectively, attributing it to cell wall polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. This was also corroborated by stretching vibrations of C = O, N-H, C-N and C-O functional groups. Furthermore, SDS and urea pre-treatment, demonstrated the crucial role of hydrophobic interactions in DEHP adsorption. The extracted peptidoglycan from LGG and MTCC 25,433 adsorbed 45% and 68% of DEHP, respectively, revealing the imperative role of peptidoglycan and its integrity in DEHP adsorption. These findings indicated that DEHP removal was based on physico-chemical adsorption and cell wall proteins, polysaccharides or peptidoglycan played a primary role in its adsorption. Owing to the high binding efficiency, L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum MTCC 25,433 were considered to be a potential detoxification strategy to mitigate the risk associated with the consumption of DEHP-contaminated foods.

Disrupting the gut microbiota/metabolites axis by Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate drives intestinal inflammation via AhR/NF-κB pathway in mice

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer known for its environmental endocrine-disrupting properties, posing potential risks to various organs. However, the precise impact of DEHP on intestinal health and its contribution to the initiation of intestinal inflammation remains elucidated. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of DEHP-induced intestinal inflammation in mice, specifically focusing on the complex interplay between the gut microbiota-metabolite axis and associated pathophysiological alterations. Our findings showed that DEHP-induced damage of multiple organs systemically, as indicated by abnormal liver and kidney biochemical markers, along with a disrupted ileum morphology. Additionally, DEHP exposure disrupted gut barrier function, causing intestinal inflammation characterized by bacterial translocation and alterations in defense and inflammation-related gene expressions. Moreover, 16S rRNA analysis suggested that DEHP-induced gut microbial remodeling is characterized by an upregulation of detrimental bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae) and a downregulation of beneficial bacteria (Muribaculaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae). Metabolomics analysis revealed DEHP perturbed gut metabolic homeostasis, particularly affecting the degradation of aromatic compounds, which generated an aberrant activation of the AhR and NF-κB, subsequently causing intestinal inflammation. Consequently, our results elucidate the mechanistic link between disrupted gut microbiota and metabolome and the initiation of DEHP-induced intestinal inflammation, mediated through the AhR/NF-κB signaling pathway.

An insight into the critical role of gut microbiota in triggering the phthalate-induced toxicity and its mitigation using probiotics

Exposure to phthalates, a major food safety concern, has been implicated in various chronic human disorders. As dietary exposure serves as a primary exposure route for phthalate exposure, understanding the detrimental impact on the gastrointestinal tract and resident gut microbiota is indispensable for better managing public health risks. Various reports have explored the intricate interplay between phthalate exposure, gut microbiota dysbiosis and host pathophysiology. For instance, oral exposure of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) affected the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and abundance of Akkermansia and Prevotella, ensuing impaired lipid metabolism and reproductive toxicity. In some cases, DEHP exposure altered the levels of gut microbial metabolites, namely short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain amino acids or p-cresol, resulting in cholesterol imbalance or neurodevelopmental disorders. Conversely, supplementation of gut-modulating probiotics like Lactococcus or Lactobacillus sp. averted the phthalate-induced hepatic or testicular toxicity through host gene regulation, gut microbial modulation or elimination of DEHP or DBP in faeces. Overall, the current review revealed the critical role of the gut microbiota in initiating or exacerbating phthalate-induced toxicity, which could be averted or mitigated by probiotics supplementation. Future studies should focus on identifying high-efficiency probiotic strains that could help reduce the exposure of phthalates in animals and humans.

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate mediates oxidative stress and activates p38MAPK/NF-kB to exacerbate diabetes-induced kidney injury in vitro and in vivo models

Plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is employed to make polyethylene polymers. Some studies in epidemiology and toxicology have shown that DEHP exposure over an extended period may be hazardous to the body, including nephrotoxicity, and aggravate kidney damage in the context of underlying disease. However, studies on the toxicity of DEHP in diabetes-induced kidney injury have been rarely reported. Using a high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg)-induced kidney injury in mice exposed to various daily DEHP dosages, we explored the impacts of DEHP on diabetes-induced kidney injury. We discovered that DEHP exposure significantly promoted the renal inflammatory response and oxidative stress in mice, with increased P-p38 and P-p65 protein levels and exacerbated the loss of podocin. The same findings were observed in vitro after stimulation of podocytes with high glucose (30 mmol/L) and exposure to DEHP. Our results suggest that DEHP exacerbates diabetes-induced kidney injury by mediating oxidative stress and activating p38MAPK/NF-κB.

Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Promising Tool for Menopausal Health Management in Women

Menopause is a period during which women undergo dramatic hormonal changes. These changes lead to physical and mental discomfort, are greatly afflictive, and critically affect women's lives. However, the current safe and effective management measures for women undergoing menopause are insufficient. Several probiotic functions of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been recognized, including alleviation of lactose intolerance, protection of digestive tract health, activation of the immune system, protection against infections, improvement of nutrient uptake, and improvement of the microbiota. In this review, we highlight the currently available knowledge of the potential protective effects of LAB on preventing or mitigating menopausal symptoms, particularly in terms of maintaining balance in the vaginal microbiota, reducing bone loss, and regulating the nervous system and lipid metabolism. Given the increasing number of women entering menopause and the emphasis on the management of menopausal symptoms, LAB are likely to soon become an indispensable part of clinical/daily care for menopausal women. Herein, we do not intend to provide a comprehensive analysis of each menopausal disorder or to specifically judge the reliability and safety of complementary therapies; rather, we aim to highlight the potential roles of LAB in individualized treatment strategies for the clinical management of menopause.

Capabilities of bio-binding, antioxidant and intestinal environmental repair jointly determine the ability of lactic acid bacteria to mitigate perfluorooctane sulfonate toxicity

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a novel environmental contaminant that can be enriched in humans through the food chain, causing liver diseases, neurotoxicity and metabolic disorders. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are safe food-grade microorganisms that exhibit high antioxidant activity and bio-binding capacity towards toxins. Here, strains of LAB with different PFOS binding capacities and antioxidant activities were selected and analyzed for their ability in mitigating the toxic effects of PFOS. The results showed that the PFOS binding capacity and antioxidant activity of LAB largely influenced their ability in alleviating the toxic effects of PFOS. Notably, the individual LAB strains with low PFOS binding capacities and antioxidant activities also attenuated the toxic effects of PFOS, which was shown to up-regulate the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum and of tight junction proteins in the intestines of mice. Therefore, the mitigation pathway of PFOS-induced toxic damage by LAB is not limited to bio-binding and antioxidant. Repairing the gut environment damaged by PFOS is also essential for LAB to alleviate the toxic damage due to PFOS and may be partly independent of the bio-binding and antioxidant. Therefore, LAB as an alternative pathway for alleviating PFOS toxicity is suggested.