Probiotics, including Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains, have recently been highlighted as potential treatments for chromate-induced dermatitis, showcasing their ability to resist high levels of chromium and promote skin healing.
Chromate-induced dermatitis is increasingly recognized as a significant occupational hazard affecting individuals exposed to chromate compounds, commonly utilized in industries such as metal plating, leather tanning, and pigment production. The chemical’s toxic nature can sever skin barriers, leading to symptoms ranging from mild irritation to severe dermatitis, necessitating innovative approaches to mitigation and treatment.
A recent study isolated various strains of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus from commercial probiotic sachets PREPRO and HiFLORA. Among these, six strains demonstrated significant resistance to chromium at concentrations of up to 500 µg/ml, allowing researchers to conduct extensive biochemical and molecular characterization as well as rigorous in vivo analyses.
The strains identified include: L. rhamnosus-L1 (PP493917), L. rhamnosus-L2 (PP493918), L. rhamnosus-L3 (PP493921), L. rhamnosus-L4 (PP493920), L. rhamnosus-L8 (PP493922), and L. rhamnosus-L12 (PP493923). Strain L1 exhibited the highest resilience, demonstrating a reduction potential of 56% against chromate (Cr VI).
The researchers performed histopathological examination of skin samples from mice to observe healing effects post-exposure to chromate. They assessed dermatitis severity through the implementation of Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, elucidated the structural properties of the flavin reductase protein present in L. rhamnosus using bioinformatics tools, and noted the probiotic’s role within chromium detoxification pathways.
The identified flavin reductase protein is pivotal for the conversion of the toxic chromium (VI) to its significantly less harmful form, chromium (III). Their capacity for chromium detoxification links the probiotic strains to potential therapeutic applications for dermatitis resulting from chromate exposure.
The binding simulations revealed noteworthy interactions as molecular docking simulations demonstrated binding energies of -8.8 kcal/mol for flavin reductase protein and -9.1 kcal/mol for the reference protein, indicating strong affinities and efficiencies of these bacterial components in detoxification processes.
Confirming the strains’ efficacy involved observing them within rigorous controlled environments where they were challenged with varied chromium concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests showcased the respective resistances, affirming their potential roles as therapeutic agents.
The study yields promising insights, showcasing the ability of probiotics not only to withstand high chromium levels but also to mitigate allergic reactions associated with inflammatory responses triggered by chromium exposure. Significant attention was directed toward developing practical probiotic solutions to dermatological challenges arising from environmental and occupational exposures to harmful substances, particularly metals like chromium.
While the findings highlight notable initial successes, researchers assert the need for expanded investigations involving human models to replicate results and determine long-term efficacy. Advancements could lead to enhanced applications of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains as viable therapeutic agents for treating skin conditions related to heavy metal exposure.
Overall, the research concludes by affirmatively linking Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus with therapeutic potentials, marking significant strides for probiotics as solutions against chromate-induced health issues. Continuous exploration of these strains might provide avenues to broader remediation solutions for those suffering from dermatitis linked to industrial chromium exposure.