Abstract Human campylobacteriosis can be transmitted from animals to human either directly or through contaminated food. So, food safety plays a critical role in preventing the prevalence of food-borne diseases. Probiotics microorganisms are considered one of the most promising new strategies in controlling gastrointestinal tract (GIT) infection. In this study, two probiotic strains Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus DSM 20080 and Bifidobacterium bifidum were investigated as anti-Campylobacter agent both in vitro and in vivo. Where they showed elevated antibacterial activity when used as mixed culture with a significant downregulation in the mice intestinal gene expression of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA induced by Campylobacter jejuni. Besides, the histopathological investigation of mice intestinal tissue showed great morphological changes in the infected groups with C. jejuni compared with Probiotics treated group that showed healthy intestinal sections with well-defined and enhanced villi. Generally, our findings demonstrate that probiotics have a beneficial and significant effect in the reduction and treatment of destructive effect of C. jejuni on mice gut.

Abstract Prodigiosin is a red pigment produced by Serratia marcescens strain. Bacterial prodigiosin and its synthetic derivatives are efficacious antioxidants and proapoptotic agents. This study illustrates a new approach for use of prodigiosin conjugated silver nanoparticles (PG-AgNP2) against cadmium chloride (CdCl2) induced neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were (ip) injected with Cd (6.5 mg/kg) for 7 days with or without PG-AgNP2 (3 mg/kg). The concentration of Cd, DA, NE, 5-HT, amino acids, NO, MDA, SOD, GSH, catalase, TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase-3. The Cd-intoxicated group showed a significant increase in Cd concentration in brain tissue, in addition, to an increase in MDA and NO and a decrease in the content of neurotransmitters (DA, NE, and 5-HT), inhibitory amino acids, and level of all studied antioxidant enzymes. PG-AgNP2 treatment, significantly reduced Cd-induced brain tissue injury as indicated by increased antioxidant molecules, neurotransmitters (DA, NE, and 5-HT), and inhibitory amino acids accompanied by lower oxidative stress indices (MDA and NO) and excitatory amino acids in brain tissue. PG-AgNP2 decreased inflammatory mediators including pro-inflammatory cytokines and prevented the development of apoptosis in the brain tissue. Our findings suggest that PG-AgNP2 can act as a therapeutic agent against neuronal impairments associated with Cd exposure.