Comparing the Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii and Selenium-Enriched S. boulardii on Hematological Parameters and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Aluminum Induced Toxicity in Rats

Oxidative stress induced by aluminum (Al) toxicity leads to the dysfunction of the hematopoietic system. Detoxifying by means of common chelators causes many side effects. Therefore, researchers have been trying to find safer treatments.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii and S. boulardii enriched with selenium (Se) on Al-induced toxicity in rats.

Female rats were divided into 6 groups: (A) Control group, (B) S. boulardii treatment group, (C) enriched S. boulardii treatment group, (D) Al-infected group, (E) S. boulardii treated and Al-infected group, (F) enriched S. boulardii treated and Al-infected group. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were taken directly from the hearts of rats in order to measure hematological parameters, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, iron, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC).

Results revealed significant increases of white blood cells (WBC), red cell distribution width (RDW), TIBC and MDA in group D as compared to the control group and significant reductions of these factors in groups E and F as compared to group D. T-AOC, iron, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) decreased in group D as compared to the control group, but significantly increased in groups E and F as compared to group D. Other observed changes were not statistically significant.

It appears that S. boulardii partly reduced the harmful effects of Al toxicity, especially when enriched with Se due to its antioxidant properties. Further studies are needed in this area.