Hepatoprotective effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v supplemented via drinking water against aflatoxin-induced liver damage

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the impact of intake of a lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) on aflatoxin-induced hepatotoxicity in broilers. For this, broilers were intoxicated with dietary aflatoxins and simultaneously treated with live Lp299v in drinking water. One-day-old male broilers were divided into eight groups (n = 10/group) as follows. Aflatoxin groups fed basal diet contaminated with aflatoxins (200 or 2000 ppb). The probiotic groups received drinking water enriched with live (Lp299v) (108 CFU/ml). A group of birds was given a commercial mycotoxin binder (2.5 g/kg feed). Control groups received basal diet without probiotic or aflatoxin binder. The growth performance was calculated for the entire period (0–42 days), and blood and liver specimens were processed for histology and determination of liver damage markers. Results showed extensive damage including bile duct hyperplasia, hepatocellular ballooning, and necrosis in chickens fed aflatoxin alone. However, liver lesions were limited to lobular inflammation and pyknosis in broilers treated with aflatoxins along with Lp299v. The histology of the liver tissues from the birds on aflatoxin-free diet + probiotic appeared to be normal when compared to the respective controls. Histopathological indices in different experimental groups were corroborated with the liver damage markers namely, serum ALT, AST, LD, and γ-GT. It is concluded that the improvement in the growth performance and prevention of aflatoxin-related liver lesions could be mainly assigned to the probiotic therapy for the entire period of breeding, although the aflatoxin-binding ability of the Lp299v in inactivation of aflatoxins cannot be ruled out. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Aflatoxin-related liver damage progression was inhibited by probiotics in broilers. Aflatoxin inactivation by probiotics can be assessed by liver histopathology. Growth performance in broilers was improved following the intake of probiotics.