Background: Gastric ulcer treatment with chemical drugs is associated with a multitude of side effect. One of the most important groups of probiotics is lactic acid bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the healing effects of Lactobacillus pentosus on gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 45 male Wistar rats were divided into experimental, control 1, and control 2 groups. After one day of fasting, the rats were operated and gastric ulcer was induced by acetic acid. One day after surgery, the groups were treated with the 1010 cfu/day bacteria, dissolved in one ml of milk sterilizer, 1 ml of milk sterilizer, and 1 ml of normal saline, respectively, via gavage. On days 1, 4, 7, 10, and 14 after the induction of gastric ulcer, the animals were killed and the wound size (mm2) and the effect of the bacteria on the healing of wounds were measured for each rat.

Results: The treatment with Lactobacillus pentosus strains significantly decreased wound size in the experimental group compared with control groups. Significant increases in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, fibroblasts, significant decreases in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and increased numbers of fibroblasts were observed in the experimental group compared to the control groups. Also, significant reductions in the number of neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts were seen in the experimental group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusion: Lactobacillus pentosus has healing effects on gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid.

Background: Aflatoxins are known as the most important toxins which their consumption could cause acute poisoning and create carcinogenic effects. Moreover, previous studies demonstrated the ability of lactic acid bacteria to connect to aflatoxin in food material. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the native probiotic Lactobacillus para casei strains TD3 against toxicity induced by aflatoxin B1 in vivo.

Materials and Methods: 24 wistar male rats (250±10 g) were divided into 3 groups including: one negative control group and two groups treated with aflatoxin (170 µg/kg) and Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3 isolated from Tarkhine with aflatoxin (10⁹ cfu/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the blood and tissue samples were collected for histopathological and biochemical studies.

Results: The results indicated that treatment with Aflatoxin leads to a significant increase in the amount of liver enzymes such as AST, ALP and also liver damages.  Furthermore, the group that received Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3, the level of these enzymes was reduced and liver damages due to aflatoxin were improved.

Conclusion: The present study showed that aflatoxin can lead to liver damages and native Lactobacillus para casei strain TD3 which isolated from Tarkhine, probably leads to protective effects by binding to aflatoxin. Thus, it is considered as a biologic agent to remove aflatoxin in vivo.