Levilactobacillus brevis MW362790 and Pediococcus pentosaceus MT323062 Alleviate Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepato-renal Toxicity.

Heavy metal contamination, particularly cadmium (Cd), poses serious health risks through bioaccumulation and oxidative stress. Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibit metal-binding properties and have demonstrated potential in mitigating Cd toxicity. This study evaluated the ameliorative effects of two locally isolated LAB strains Levilactobacillus brevis MW362790 and Pediococcus pentosaceus MT323062 against Cd-induced toxicity in rat model. Over 12 weeks of experiment, rats were divided into four groups (I-IV): a negative control, a CdCl₂-intoxicated positive control (3 mg/kg body weight), and two treatment groups receiving CdCl₂ along with either L. brevis or P. pentosaceus (5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg body weight), respectively. Blood samples were collected fortnightly, while liver, kidney, adipose tissue, and fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Compared to the positive control, both probiotic-treated groups (III and IV) displayed significantly reduced Cd accumulation in tissues, improved levels of hepatic and renal function markers, decreased malondialdehyde and total oxidative stress markers, and enhanced enzymatic antioxidant activities. Histopathological evaluations further corroborated these findings, by revealing reduced tissue damage in treated animals. Moreover, the increased fecal Cd excretion in the same groups indicated effective intestinal Cd elimination. This is the first report demonstrating Cd-attenuating potential of L. brevis MW362790, underscoring the therapeutic significance of locally isolated LAB strains in managing heavy metal toxicity.