Role of the Probiotic Supplementation on Intestinal Inflammation and Structural Integrity in Wistar Rats Subjected to a Cafeteria Diet during Development

Abstract

Probiotics have gained significant interest in medical and veterinary sciences due to their potential to improve gastrointestinal health. This study investigates the protective role of probiotics on intestinal health in male Wistar rats exposed to a cafeteria diet during development. The experimental groups were divided into four: control, probiotics, cafeteria diet, and cafeteria diet with probiotics. Probiotics groups were administered daily at 1 x 108 CFU throughout the experiment. Ileum and colon tissues were analyzed via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, histopathological analysis, and immunohistochemical staining. The cafeteria diet group showed altered lipid profiles, increased protein carbonylation (a marker of oxidative stress), and increased mast cell density, indicating increased intestinal inflammation. Probiotic supplementation significantly reduced inflammation by reducing TNF-alpha (P <= 0.0001) and IL-1(3 (P <= 0.0001). These results suggest that probiotic supplementation during an unhealthy diet can mitigate adverse effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, probiotics could offer therapeutic potential in mitigating cafeteria diet-induced intestinal changes, serving as a promising dietary intervention during development to manage metabolic disorders in both humans and animals.