Modulatory role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against cadmium-induced genotoxicity in mice

Background / aim Cadmium (Cd) was found to be a major heavy metal utilized in different agricultural and industrial processes. However, exposure to this element was found to cause serious environmental pollution and induce deleterious effects on human and animal health. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the protective and therapeutic role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against Cd genotoxicity. Materials and methods Forty-eight male mice were used in this study by dividing them into six groups (eight animals each): the control group, which was fed a basal diet; a group fed a basal diet contaminated with Cd (0.03 g/kg diet) for 3 weeks; two protection groups fed a basal diet supplemented with S. cerevisiae at low (5%) or high (7.5%) levels along with contamination with Cd; and two therapeutic groups fed a basal diet supplemented with S. cerevisiae at the same levels for 15 days after cessation of contamination with Cd. At the end of the experimental period, genetic and sperm parameters of the mice were evaluated. Genetic parameters included the DNA comet assay, random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR analysis, micronucleus test, and chromosomal examinations. Sperm parameters involved sperm-shape abnormalities and sperm count. Results The results showed that feeding on a basal diet contaminated with Cd caused significant increases in abnormal genetic parameters and sperm-shape abnormalities as well as significant decrease in sperm count. The utilization of S. cerevisiae yeast as a protective or therapeutic agent significantly improved the genetic and sperm parameters as compared with Cd treatment alone. The best findings were revealed when S. cerevisiae was used as a protective agent, especially treatment at high levels (7.5%). Conclusion This work showed that S. cerevisiae yeast is a strong probiotic agent against Cd detoxification in foods, where the addition of this probiotic to animal diets significantly minimized the deleterious effects caused by Cd on the genetic and sperm parameters of mice.