The role of probiotic intervention in regulating gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and depression-like behavior in lead-exposed rats

• Authors: Xiaojun Chen , Shujuan Meng , Yongli Yu , Shuang Li , Lei Wu , Yanshu Zhang

Abstracts

EN

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to observe the depression-like behavior changes of rats exposed to lead with or without probiotic intervention, and to investigate changes in the gut microbiota and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels after lead exposure, and the possible functions of probiotics in this process.Material and MethodsAdult male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a 300 mg/l lead acetate solution for 24 weeks, with or without probiotic (freeze-dried powder containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium: 6 billion live bacteria/2 g) intervention in weeks 17–24. The sucrose preference test (SPT), the forced swim test (FST), and the tail suspension test (TST) were preformed to study the depression-like behaviors of these rats. The alteration of rat gut microbiota induced by lead exposure was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the levels of fecal SCFAs were detected using gas chromatography.ResultsNeurobehavioral tests showed that lead exposure induced depression-like behavior in rats, including reduced sucrose preference in the SPT, and increased immobility times in the FST and the TST. Sequencing and gas chromatography showed that lead exposure changed the structure and the phylogenetic diversity of the gut microbiota, as well as significantly altered the levels of SCFAs. Moreover, the depression-like behaviors, and the changes in both gut microbiota and SCFAs, could be mitigated by probiotic intervention.ConclusionsLead exposure not only changes the structure and diversity of the gut microbiome but also affects metabolic function. Probiotic intervention may be a novel initiative for the prevention and treatment of neurological damage following lead exposure. Health. 2022;35(1):95–106

Keywords

EN

depression; lead exposure; probiotic; gut microbiota; SCFAs; neurobehavioral tests

• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. dra Jerzego Nofera w Łodzi
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Year: 2022
• Volume: 35
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 95-106

Dates

published

2022

Contributors

author

Xiaojun Chen

• North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China (School of Public Health)
• Workers Hospital of Caofeidian District, Tangshan, China (Central Laboratory)

author

Shujuan Meng

• Tangshan Hongci Hospital, Tangshan, China (Department of Pathology)

author

Yongli Yu

• Tangshan Hongci Hospital, Tangshan, China (Department of Pathology)

author

Shuang Li

• North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China (Experimental Animal Center)

author

Lei Wu

• North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China (School of Public Health)

author

Yanshu Zhang

• North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China (School of Public Health)
• North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China (Experimental Animal Center)

Identifiers

DOI

10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01795

Biblioteka Nauki

2085714