Lactobacillus plantarum TW1-1 Alleviates Diethylhexylphthalate-Induced Testicular Damage in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Decreasing Inflammation

Abstract

Diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), acting as an endocrine disruptor, disturbed reproductive health. Here, we evaluated the effects of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> TW1-1 (<i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1) on DEHP-induced testicular damage in adult male mice. Results showed that oral supplementation of <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 significantly increased the serum testosterone concentration, enhanced the semen quality, and attenuated gonad development defects in DEHP-exposed mice. <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 also alleviated DEHP-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses by decreasing the mRNA expression and serum protein concentration of different inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6]. Furthermore, <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 significantly reduced DEHP-induced intestinal hyper-permeability and the increase in the serum lipopolysaccharide level. Gut microbiota diversity analysis revealed that <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 shifted the DEHP-disrupted gut microbiota to that of the control mice. At phylum level, <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 reversed DEHP-induced <i>Bacteroidetes</i> increase and <i>Firmicutes</i> decrease, and restored <i>Deferribacteres</i> in DEHP-exposed mice. Spearman's correlation analysis showed that <i>Bacteroidetes, Deferribacteres</i>, and <i>Firmicutes</i> were associated with DEHP-induced testicular damage. In addition, the ratio of <i>Firmicutes</i> to <i>Bacteroidetes</i> (Firm/Bac ratio) significantly decreased from 0.28 (control group) to 0.13 (DEHP-exposed group), which was restored by <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 treatment. Correlation analysis showed that the Firm/Bac ratio was negatively correlated with testicular damage and inflammation. These findings suggest that <i>L. plantarum</i> TW1-1 prevents DEHP-induced testicular damage via modulating gut microbiota and decreasing inflammation.