Influence of Lactobacillus plantarum administration on some serum|tissue (uterus) antioxidant and cytokine levels in female rats exposed to cadmium (Cd)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effects of oral Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) administration on some serum/tissue (uterus) antioxidant and cytokine levels as well as histopathologic changes in female rats exposed chronically to Cd. For this purpose, rats were separated into four groups including control (C, n = 8), cadmium (Cd, n = 8), Lp (n = 8), and Cd + Lp (n = 8). Cd (dissolved in water at a dose of 2.04 mg/mL) was orally administered to Cd and Cd + Lp groups for 28 days. Besides, active-live Lp, which was grown at a level of approximately $10^8–10^9$ cfu/mL in skim milk powder medium, was administered orally to Lp and Cd + Lp group animals on the same days. Only fresh water and standard rat food were given ad libitum to the animals in the C group. After the administration period, they were decapitated and serum/tissue (uterus) samples were taken for measurement of Cd and GSH levels, CAT and SOD enzyme activities, MDA values, TNF-?, IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-10 levels as well as histopathologic changes. Administration of the Lp suspension decreased the Cd accumulation in the serum samples compared to the Cd group (p < 0.05). Also, the administration of Lp led to a decrease in the serum MDA levels in the Cd + Lp group when compared to the Cd group (p < 0.05). In addition, serum IL-10 levels decreased in the Cd group compared to t