Researchers discovered that a common probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus may help protect liver cells from damage caused by zearalenone, a harmful substance found in moldy grains. In laboratory tests, when they added this beneficial bacteria to cells exposed to zearalenone, the cells survived better and showed less damage. The study focused on how a specific gene messenger called miR-34a responds to this toxin and how the probiotic bacteria might reduce its harmful effects. While these results are promising, they come from test-tube experiments, so more research is needed before we know if probiotics can truly protect people from this toxin in real life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a probiotic bacteria (L. acidophilus) can protect liver cells from damage caused by zearalenone, a toxic substance found in moldy grains and food
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study using human liver cells grown in dishes. No human volunteers or animals were involved in the actual testing
  • Key finding: When researchers added L. acidophilus to liver cells exposed to zearalenone, the cells showed better survival rates and less damage compared to cells exposed to the toxin alone
  • What it means for you: This suggests that probiotics might someday help protect our bodies from harmful toxins in contaminated food, but this is very early research. Don’t change your diet based on this study alone—talk to your doctor before taking probiotics for this purpose

The Research Details

Scientists grew human liver cells in small laboratory dishes and exposed them to zearalenone, a toxic substance produced by mold that grows on grains and corn. They tested different amounts of the toxin (ranging from 100-200 micrometers) to see how much damage it caused. Then they added L. acidophilus bacteria to some of the damaged cells to see if the bacteria could help protect them.

To measure cell survival, researchers used a special test called the MTT method, which shows how many cells are still alive and healthy. They also measured a substance called lactate dehydrogenase, which leaks out of damaged cells like water leaking from a broken cup—the more that leaks out, the more damage has occurred. Finally, they used advanced genetic testing to measure changes in a specific gene messenger (miR-34a) that appears to be involved in how the toxin harms cells.

This research approach is important because it helps scientists understand exactly how toxins damage our cells and whether probiotics can help. By studying this in controlled laboratory conditions first, researchers can figure out the basic mechanisms before testing in animals or humans. This step-by-step approach makes research safer and more efficient

This is laboratory research using cells in dishes, which means the results are preliminary. The study doesn’t include human participants or animals, so we can’t yet say whether these results would work in real people. The researchers used established scientific methods and measured multiple markers of cell damage, which strengthens the findings. However, the sample size information wasn’t provided in the abstract, making it harder to assess the study’s statistical power

What the Results Show

The main finding was that L. acidophilus bacteria appeared to reduce the harmful effects of zearalenone on liver cells. When cells were treated with both the toxin and the probiotic bacteria, they survived better than cells exposed to the toxin alone. This protective effect suggests that the bacteria may produce substances or trigger cellular responses that help cells resist the toxin’s damage.

The researchers also found that zearalenone caused changes in miR-34a gene expression—a genetic messenger that appears to be involved in how the toxin damages cells. When L. acidophilus was added, these harmful changes in gene expression were moderated, meaning the bacteria seemed to help keep the cells’ genetic responses more balanced.

Additionally, the study measured lactate dehydrogenase levels, which indicate cell damage. Cells exposed to zearalenone alone showed high levels of this damage marker, but when L. acidophilus was added, the levels decreased, suggesting less cellular injury occurred.

The research provides evidence that probiotics may work by influencing how cells respond at the genetic level, not just by blocking the toxin directly. This suggests multiple protective mechanisms might be at work. The findings also support the idea that beneficial bacteria can have protective effects beyond just improving digestion, which is what most people think of when they hear ‘probiotics’

Previous research has shown that zearalenone is a serious health threat because it acts like estrogen in the body and can damage cells. Some earlier studies suggested that probiotics might help protect against various toxins, but specific research on L. acidophilus and zearalenone protection was limited. This study adds to growing evidence that certain probiotic strains may have protective properties against mycotoxins, though much more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans

The biggest limitation is that this research was done entirely in laboratory dishes using isolated cells, not in living organisms. What works in a dish doesn’t always work in a real body because the body is much more complex. The study doesn’t tell us whether eating probiotics would actually protect people from zearalenone in contaminated food. Additionally, the abstract doesn’t provide complete information about how many cell samples were tested or the exact statistical methods used, making it harder to evaluate the study’s reliability. Finally, we don’t know if this protective effect would work with other probiotic strains or in different types of cells

The Bottom Line

Based on this early laboratory research, we cannot yet recommend probiotics specifically to protect against zearalenone toxins. However, probiotics have other established health benefits and are generally safe for most people. If you’re concerned about mycotoxin exposure from moldy grains or food, the best approach is to store food properly, avoid visibly moldy items, and maintain good food safety practices. If you’re interested in taking probiotics for any reason, discuss it with your healthcare provider first (moderate confidence in this recommendation)

This research is most relevant to food safety experts, agricultural scientists, and people who work with grain storage or food production. People with compromised immune systems or those concerned about food contamination might find this interesting, but shouldn’t change their behavior based on this single study. Anyone considering probiotics for health reasons should consult their doctor first

Since this is laboratory research, there’s no realistic timeline for seeing benefits in real people yet. If future human studies confirm these findings, it could take several years of additional research before probiotics might be recommended for this specific purpose. In the meantime, focus on proven food safety practices

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily probiotic intake (if recommended by your doctor) and any digestive symptoms or changes in energy levels. Note dates and amounts of fermented foods consumed (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) to monitor consistency
  • If your doctor approves, add one serving of a probiotic-rich food to your daily routine and track it in the app. This could be plain yogurt with live cultures, kefir, or fermented vegetables. Monitor how you feel over 2-4 weeks
  • Create a weekly check-in to rate overall digestive health, energy levels, and any changes in how you feel. This helps you and your doctor determine if probiotics are actually helping you personally, since research shows individual responses vary significantly

This research describes laboratory findings in isolated cells and does not represent proven effects in humans. Zearalenone toxicity from food is rare in developed countries due to food safety regulations. Do not use probiotics as a substitute for proper food storage and safety practices. Before taking any probiotic supplements, especially if you have a medical condition, take medications, or have a weakened immune system, consult your healthcare provider. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.