Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RS20D Alleviates Male Reproductive Toxicity Induced by Pubertal Exposure to Di-n-butyl Phthalate and Mono-n-butyl Phthalate.

ABSTRACT

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and their metabolites, such as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), are known to cause male reproductive damage. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RS20D has demonstrated the ability to remove both DBP and MBP in vitro, suggesting its potential as a detoxifying agent against these compounds. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of RS20D on DBP or MBP-induced male reproductive toxicity in adolescent rats. Oral administration of RS20D significantly mitigated the histological damage to the testes caused by MBP or DBP, restored sperm concentration, morphological abnormalities, and the proliferation index in MBP-exposed rats, and partially reversed spermatogenic damage in DBP-exposed rats. Furthermore, RS20D restored serum levels of estradiol (E2) and testosterone, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in DBP-exposed rats, significantly increased testosterone levels in MBP-exposed rats, and restored copper (Cu) concentrations in the testes after exposure to DBP or MBP. Additionally, RS20D effectively modulated the intestinal microbiota in DBP-exposed rats and partially ameliorated dysbiosis induced by MBP, which may be associated with the alleviation of reproductive toxic effects induced by DBP or MBP. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that RS20D administration can alleviate male reproductive toxicity and gut dysbacteriosis induced by DBP or MBP exposure, providing a dietary strategy for the bioremediation of PAEs and their metabolites.