Protective Roles of Prebiotics and Probiotics Against Environmental Pollutant-Induced Toxicities: A Systematic Review of Animal Studies.

2025-09-04
Molecular nutrition & food research 70(1)

PubMed: 40906511
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.70175

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Population: rats, mice, or zebrafish
Methods: systematically reviewed the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and commensal gut microbiota on pollutant-induced toxicities in animal models; literature search conducted using Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to January 2025, following PRISMA guidelines

Rigorous Journal
Animal Study

Environmental pollutants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and mycotoxins, cause various adverse health effects linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. These toxicities disrupt gut microbiota composition and function, which prebiotics and probiotics may counteract. This study systematically reviewed the effects of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and commensal gut microbiota on pollutant-induced toxicities in animal models. A literature search was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to January 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Study quality was assessed using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool, and reliability was evaluated with the ToxRTool. Fifty-four studies investigating prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, or commensal microbiota in rats, mice, or zebrafish were included. While 98% of studies were considered reliable, only 18% were rated as good quality due to biases in selection, performance, and detection. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and gut microbiota reduced heavy metal absorption and increased fecal excretion. They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants. Overall, this review supports the role of microbiota, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in mitigating pollutant-induced toxicities, though future studies should address common bias issues.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	—	Improved Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Response	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants.
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	—	Improved Gut Barrier Function	Beneficial	Moderate	View source They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals.
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	—	Reduced Toxicity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and gut microbiota reduced heavy metal absorption and increased fecal excretion. They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants.
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595	—	Reduced Toxicity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and gut microbiota reduced heavy metal absorption and increased fecal excretion. They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants.
Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9	—	Reduced Toxicity	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and gut microbiota reduced heavy metal absorption and increased fecal excretion. They also improved gut barrier integrity and reduced intestinal permeability in animals exposed to heavy metals. Additionally, probiotics and prebiotics enhanced antioxidant activity and triggered anti-inflammatory responses in animals exposed to heavy metals, mycotoxins, and organic pollutants.