Alleviation of aflatoxin-related oxidative damage to liver and improvement of growth performance in broiler chickens consumed Lactobacillus plantarum 299v for entire growth period.

Growing broiler chicks on a diet contaminated with aflatoxins (200 or 2000 ppb) for entire growth period resulted in increased oxidative stress and liver damage markers. The toxicity was subsided in broilers received a specific aflatoxin-binding probiotic i.e., Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v). There was a substantial (30-90%) increase in antioxidant activity of plasma, which was suppressed due to dietary aflatoxins. Probiotic also reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase and alanine amino transferase together with lipid peroxidation products in liver, which were elevated due to aflatoxin. Because of Lp299v consumption, there was ∼20-55% recovery in body weight gain in broilers intoxicated with aflatoxins. Comparison of the Lp299v effects with that of a commercial aflatoxin binder revealed that, improved antioxidant activity of the chicks was associated with growth performance. These data suggest that aflatoxin-binding probiotics are beneficial with multi-functional effects and can efficiently help reducing aflatoxins in food chain associated with poultry industry.