Chitosan nanoparticle encapsulation increased the prophylactic efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 against AFM-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats.

Aflatoxin M (AFM) is a significant contaminant of food, particularly dairy products and can resist various industrial processes. Several probiotic strains like Lactobacillus plantarum are known to reduce aflatoxin availability in synthetic media and some food products. The current work investigated the possible chitosan coating prophylactic efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum RM1 nanoemulsion (CS-RM1) against AFM-induced hepatorenal toxicity in rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 7) as follows: group 1 received normal saline, group 2 received CS-RM1 (1mL contains 6.7 × 10 CFU), group 3 received AFM (60 µg/kg bwt), and group 4 received both CS-RM1(1 mL contains 6.7 × 10 CFU) and AFM (60 µg/kg bwt). All receiving materials were given to rats daily via oral gavage for 28 days. AFM caused a significant elevation in serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, uric acid, urea, and creatinine with marked alterations in protein and lipid profiles. Additionally, AFM caused marked pathological changes in the liver and kidneys, such as cellular necrosis, vascular congestion, and interstitial inflammation. AFM also increased the MDA levels and decreased several enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Liver and kidney sections of the AFM group displayed strong caspase-3, TNF-α, and iNOS immunopositivity. Co-treatment of CS-RM1 with AFM significantly lowered the investigated toxicological parameter changes and markedly improved the microscopic appearance of liver and kidneys. In conclusion, AFM induces hepatorenal oxidative stress damage via ROS overgeneration, which induces mitochondrial caspase-3-dependent apoptosis and inflammation. Furthermore, CS-RM1 can reduce AFM toxicity in both the liver and kidneys. The study recommends adding CS-RM1 to milk and milk products for AFM-elimination.