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November 24, 2024
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy could help mitigate the harmful effects of widespread environmental toxins on neurodevelopment, behavior, and metabolism, according to new research from the University of California, Riverside. The study, published in the Archives of Toxicology, highlights the potential protective role of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR) against the effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
PBDEs are fire-retardant chemicals commonly found in everyday items such as upholstery, carpets, curtains, electronics, and even infant products. These chemicals are known to disrupt hormones and persist in the environment, contaminating water, soil, air, and food supplies. Alarmingly, they have been detected in human tissues and breast milk.
“Exposure to PBDEs during the perinatal period produces autistic-like behavior and metabolic syndrome in mice,” said lead researcher Margarita C. Curras-Collazo, a professor of neuroscience. “These compounds also disrupt the gut microbiome, which has been linked to brain and metabolic health. Our study shows that supplementing the maternal diet with the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help prevent these negative effects.”
The probiotic, found naturally in the digestive tract and certain foods such as beans, artichokes, sweet potatoes, and fermented products like yogurt, sourdough bread, kimchi, and sauerkraut, generates lactic acid and supports gut health.
The Study: Probiotics vs. Pollutants
To simulate human exposure, researchers exposed pregnant and breastfeeding mice to a mixture of PBDEs over 10 weeks. Some of the mice were also given LR supplements. The offspring were evaluated for developmental milestones during the postnatal period and behavioral changes in adulthood.
The findings were striking. Male offspring exposed to PBDEs showed delayed body weight gain and abnormal timing of incisor eruption. However, LR supplementation normalized these effects.
“To our surprise, we found LR treatment prevented delays in male weight gain and helped normalize the timing of tooth eruption in both sexes,” said Elena Kozlova, a doctoral student and co-first author of the paper.
Implications for Human Health
This research underscores the potential of gut microbiota-focused therapies to mitigate the developmental and long-term health risks associated with toxic exposures. “Using probiotics during pregnancy could be a promising strategy to protect against diseases linked to environmental pollutants,” Curras-Collazo said.
As PBDEs remain pervasive in modern environments, interventions like probiotic supplementation may offer a simple, accessible way to counteract their harmful effects, safeguarding the health of future generations.
