Tracing the protective activity of Lactobacillus plantarum using technetium--labeled zearalenone for organ toxicity.

Purpose: Zearalenone is a potent estrogenic metabolite produced by some Fusarium and Gibberella species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of Technetium-[]-labeled zearalenone in mice organs as well as to study the protective effect of Lactobacillus plantarum.

Materials And Methods: Two different groups of mice were used; the first group of mice received Technetium-[]-zearalenone only, and the second group received both Technetium-[] zearalenone and L. plantarum (as a protective agent). Technetium-[]-labeled zearalenone was administered to mice by tail vein injection and L. plantarum was administered orally. Accumulation of labeled zearalenone in mice was monitored for 120 min.

Results: Labeled zearalenone was distributed primarily in the intestine (44.5%) and liver (20.12%) after 120 min in the first group of mice. In the second group of mice which received both Technetium-[] zearalenone and L. plantarum, labeled zearalenone was accumulated primarily in the intestine (46.8%) and liver (18.9%). These results indicated the decrease in labeled zearalenone in the liver due to the effect of lactic acid bacteria.

Conclusion: Technetium-[]-labeled zearalenone can be used as a new tracer for organ imaging and that L. plantarum can decrease the bioavailability of zearalenone in mice organs.