Multi-Strain Probiotic and Bee Pollen Supplementation Attenuates CCl4-Induced Altered Intestinal Tight Junctions in Rodents

Environmental toxins can impair gut microbiota and increase intestinal permeability, contributing to various health problems. While many such toxins are known to disrupt tight junctions and compromise barrier function, research specifically examining carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) as a trigger of intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction remains limited. In this study, 54 young Western albino male rats, weighing 180-200 g, were randomly assigned to nine experimental groups, each comprising six rats. Group 1 received 1 mL of oral saline and served as a control. Groups 2 and 3 received 0.2 g/kg body weight probiotic and prebiotic, respectively, for four weeks. CCl₄ (1 mL/kg, i.p.) was administered either at the beginning of day 1 (damage induction; Group 4) or at the end of day 28 (protection assessment; Group 7). Intervention groups received probiotics and prebiotics for 4 weeks after (therapeutic) CCl₄ exposure on day 1 in Groups 5 and 6, respectively. Groups 8 and 9 received probiotics and prebiotics for 4 weeks before CCl₄ exposure on day 28, respectively. Quantification of gut bacterial populations, serum levels of Occludin and Zonulin, as biomarkers of intestinal permeability, and histopathological analysis of intestinal tissue were conducted. CCl₄ induces significant intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction with marked histopathological alterations. Probiotic treatment was more effective than prebiotics at normalizing serum Zonulin and Occludin levels in CCl₄-induced intestinal damage. Probiotics restore microbial balance by suppressing the overgrowth of pathogenic organisms, while prebiotics confer partial protection. CCl₄-induced gut barrier disruption is restored through probiotic supplements by restoring gut microbial balance and normalizing tight junction-associated biomarkers.