Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), commonly found in household items, are known endocrine disruptors with widespread environmental persistence. A recent study from the University of California, Riverside, published in Archives of Toxicology, indicates that probiotic supplementation with Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) can mitigate the adverse effects of PBDEs on neurodevelopment, behavior, and metabolism.
Margarita C. Curras-Collazo, a professor of neuroscience who led the study, noted, "Exposure to PBDEs during the perinatal period produces autistic-like behavior and metabolism syndrome in mice. Our study shows supplementing the maternal diet with the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help prevent these negative effects."
Study Design and Findings
The researchers exposed pregnant and breastfeeding mice to a PBDE mixture or a control (corn oil) over a ten-week period, mimicking human exposure scenarios. Some mice received LR supplementation. Offspring were then assessed for developmental milestones and adult behavior.
Male offspring exposed to PBDEs experienced delayed body weight gain and abnormal incisor eruption timing. Elena Kozlova, a doctoral student and co-first author, stated, "To our surprise, we found LR treatment prevented delays in male weight gain and helped normalize the timing of tooth eruption in both sexes."
Female offspring exposed to PBDEs exhibited exaggerated digging and hyperactivity in adulthood, which LR supplementation mitigated. Furthermore, glucose metabolism and insulin levels improved in adult female offspring exposed to PBDEs and given LR directly.
Clinical Implications
Maximillian Denys, a UCR medical student and co-first author, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, "Low birth weight, among other developmental markers, is an established predictor of adult health outcomes. Sadly, underserved, low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately affected in terms of pollutant exposure and health outcomes."
The research team also observed that the PBDE mixture affected the gut microbiome in an age- and sex-dependent manner. Maternal LR supplementation promoted the diversity of gut bacteria in female pups and prevented changes in these bacteria in male pups.
Future Directions
Curras-Collazo suggests that gut microbiota-focused therapies administered to mothers before birth may protect against developmental and adult diseases linked to toxic exposures. "Changes in gut bacteria triggered by probiotics may contribute to these improvements," she said. "By better understanding how probiotics and environmental toxins interact, we can use these therapies as early interventions to mitigate long-term health problems caused by pollutant transfer from the mother."
While acknowledging the need for replication, Curras-Collazo added, "Although our findings must be replicated, they suggest that we can act to safeguard the health of our children against toxic chemicals for which there are no strategies for removal from our bodies. Perhaps, through probiotics in our diet, we can put our own gut microbiota to work to mitigate toxicant effects and protect our health."
