Abstract

This paper studied the safety and physiological effect of acute intake of Bifidobacterium adolescentis CH₂ in albino rats using yogurt as a carrier. Thirty-six female albino rats were divided into three groups: control group received standard diet and water daily; yogurt group received standard diet, water, and 0.5 ml yogurt; B. adolenscentis-yogurt (probiotic yogurt) group received standard diet, water, and 0.5 ml B. adolenscentis CH₂-yogurt, at a dose of 3.6 × 10⁶ cfu B. adolescentis CH₂/animal. Yogurt and B. adolenscentis CH₂-yogurt administration was done daily by oral gavage for four weeks. Rats were monitored daily for feed intake and weight, and weekly for organ conditions and functions. Histology of liver and kidney were performed at week 3 and 4. There was no significant statistical difference in feed intake for the three groups. Results established no significant difference in average organ/body weight ratios of liver, lung, heart, and spleen in groups at week 4. Concentration of clinical parameters- albumin, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, total protein, and urea- indicated no significant difference among groups. This study recorded lower triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in B. adolescentis-yogurt group in week 4. Kidney and liver histopathology confirmed that the studied B. adolescentis had no negative effects on rat liver and kidney. Significant reduction (P<0.05) in body weight gain for B. adolescentis-yogurt group was observed from week three. Our findings showed that B. adolescentis CH₂ is safe for acute intake. Results suggested a hypolipidemic and weight reduction effect on prolong usage, indicating a potential for application in weight management and cardiovascular disease control.

Key words: Bifidobacterium adolescentis, probiotics, in vivo, safety, hypolipidemic.