Abstract
The present study assessed the ameliorative potential of a commercial probiotic, Protexin® and its nanoformulation against cadmium (Cd) toxicity in Wistar rats. The ‘green’ synthesized nanoparticles had a size of 170 nm (PDI 0.527) with spherical and tubular bacillary shapes. Rats were exposed to 70 ppm of cadmium chloride hydrate for 35 days. Group I and V were negative and positive control respectively. Groups II, III, and IV were exposed to Cd. The Cd exposed groups, III and IV were treated with the probiotic and nanoprobiotic (1 ml containing 2 × 108cfu) respectively. Cd intoxication led to significant bioaccumulation of cadmium in liver and kidney. A significant increase in the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8 -hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels was observed. The metallothionien (MT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in the liver were significantly increased. The advance oxidation protein products (AOPP) and methylglyoxal (MG) levels were also elevated. Treatment with probiotic and its nanoparticles markedly reversed the Cd induced alterations in the parameters. The nanoformulation was more profound in reducing the (GSH) and MT levels in the liver and 8-OHdG levels in the serum. The key findings suggest that a nutritional intervention in the form of probiotic supplementation is a safe and efficacious remediation against heavy metal toxicity/oxidative stress.