Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, abbreviated as PBDEs, are fire-resistant chemicals that can be found in various everyday items such as furniture, carpets, drapes, electronics, and baby products. These pollutants can disrupt hormonal functions and linger in the environment, being discovered in water, soil, air, food, animals, human tissues, and even breast milk.
A recent mouse study from the University of California, Riverside, published in Archives of Toxicology, indicates that adding probiotics to the diet can alleviate the harmful effects of PBDEs on brain development, behavior, and metabolic processes.
According to Margarita C. Curras-Collazo, a neuroscience professor who led the research, “Exposure to PBDEs during critical developmental windows leads to behaviors similar to autism and metabolic issues in mice. These toxins disrupt the gut microbiome, which is known to be connected to brain and metabolic health. Our findings suggest that including the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri in the maternal diet can prevent these adverse outcomes.”
LR, or L. reuteri, is commonly found in the gut, where it produces lactic acid. It can also be located in foods like beans, artichokes, and sweet potatoes, as well as in fermented goods such as sourdough bread, miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Hence, it is often found in yogurt and dairy products, making it easily accessible.
During the study, mouse mothers were exposed to a mix of PBDEs or a control substance (corn oil) throughout their pregnancy and while nursing over a 10-week interval, simulating human exposure. Some mice received the LR supplement. The researchers assessed the offspring for developmental milestones in the early stages of life and behavioral patterns as adults.
The study revealed that male offspring exposed to PBDEs experienced delays in weight gain and showed unusual timing in the eruption of their incisors.
Elena Kozlova, a doctoral student in Curras-Collazo’s lab and co-first author of the study, stated, “Surprisingly, the LR treatment effectively halted the weight gain delays in males and restored normal tooth eruption timing in both genders.”
Maximillian Denys, a medical student at UCR and another co-first author, highlighted the importance of these findings.
“Low birth weight and other developmental indicators are significant predictors of health issues in adulthood,” he noted. “Unfortunately, marginalized communities are more heavily impacted by pollution and its consequent health ramifications.”
The research team also found that the female offspring exposed to PBDEs exhibited increased digging behavior and hyperactivity as adults. However, the presence of LR helped alleviate these symptoms. Additionally, the glucose metabolism and insulin levels in adult female offspring benefitted from LR supplementation despite PBDE exposure.
Kozlova remarked, “Maternal treatment with LR rectified most behavioral and metabolic irregularities caused by PBDE exposure. We administered the probiotics through the mother, which is a safe and effective approach to lessen the impact of PBDEs on developing offspring.”
Curras-Collazo added that introducing microbiome-focused treatments prior to birth through the mother could offer some protection against developmental disorders and adult diseases linked to toxic exposure. The investigation revealed that PBDE effects on the gut microbiome varied by age and sex, with maternal LR enhancing bacterial diversity in female pups and preventing bacterial changes in males.
“Probiotic-induced alterations in gut bacteria may explain these improvements,” Curras-Collazo explained. “A deeper understanding of how probiotics interact with environmental toxins could allow us to use these treatments as early intervention strategies, counteracting long-term health consequences arising from maternal pollutant exposure.”
“While our results need further validation, they imply actionable steps we can take to protect children’s health from environmental toxins that there are currently no solutions for eliminating from the body,” she concluded. “Potentially, by incorporating probiotics into our diets, we can enhance our gut microbiota’s role in mitigating the effects of toxic substances and safeguarding our health.”
Curras-Collazo, Kozlova, and Denys collaborated with additional UCR researchers: Rui Liu, Anthony E. Bishay, Elyza A. Do, Varadh Piamthai, Yash V. Korde, Crystal N. Luna, Artha A. Lam, and Dr. Ansel Hsiao.
This research received funding from UC Riverside, UC-Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative, a Danone North America Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant, and the National Institutes of Health. The opinions presented in this article do not necessarily align with the official viewpoints of the National Institutes of Health.
