Protective Effect of <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> GG on TiO₂ Nanoparticles-Induced Oxidative Stress Damage in the Liver of Young Rats

• Main Authors: Penghui Nie, Mengqi Wang, Yu Zhao, Shanji Liu, Ling Chen, Hengyi Xu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: titanium dioxide nanoparticles; <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> GG; liver; toxicity; oxidative stress
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/3/803

The potential toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) to mammals has become a widespread concern. Young individuals exposed to TiO₂ NPs have a higher risk than adults. In this study, the protective effects of <i>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</i> GG (LGG) on liver toxicity in young rats induced by TiO₂ NPs were explored. Results show that the four-week-old rats that underwent LGG after the oral intake of TiO₂ NPs could prevent weight loss, reduce hematological indicators (WBC and NEUT) and serum biochemical indicators (AST, ALT, AST/ALT, and ALP). Moreover, it alleviated the pathological damage of the liver (as indicated by the disordered hepatocytes, more eosinophilic, ballooning degeneration, and accompany with blood cells), but it did not reduce the Ti contents in the liver. In addition, RT-qPCR results indicated that LGG restored the expression of anti-oxidative stress-related genes, such as <i>SOD1</i>, <i>SOD2</i>, <i>CAT</i>, <i>HO-1</i>, <i>GSH</i>, <i>GCLC</i>, and <i>GCLM</i> in the liver. In summary, the hepatotoxicity of TiO₂ NPs in young rats is closely related to oxidative stress, and the antioxidant effect of LGG might protect the harmful effects caused by TiO₂ NPs.