Protective Effect of Probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIM 5593 on Acrylamide Induced Neurotoxicity in Adult Mice

Exposure to chemicals that are commonly distributed in the environment and work-related surroundings may have deleterious effects to the nervous system. Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-known neurotoxin with multiple chemical and industrial applications. ACR exposure is attributed to oxidative stress and is known to cause neurotoxic effect by altering brain neurotransmitter levels. Probiotics are chosen as natural therapeutic medicine against oxidative stress and shown their ability to modulate gut-brain axis. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIM 5593 on ACR induced oxidative stress altered neurotransmitter status in mice brain. ACR exposure to mice produced pronounced neurotoxicity as evidenced by marked increase in oxidative markers and altered antioxidant ability. Probiotic treatment (4 weeks) to young mice could diminish ACR induced elevation in oxidative markers in brain and enhance activities of antioxidant enzymes with increase in gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine (DA) levels. Oral supplements of E. faecium NCIM 5593 to ACR-treated mice improved neuronal dysfunction and oxidative stress. The present study suggests that this probiotic strain can be a potential neutraceutical intervention to combat acrylamide induced molecular alterations and oxidative stress.