ABSTRACT
Several species of eukaryotic organisms living in the high mountain areas of Armenia with naturally occurring levels of radiation have high adaptive responses to radiation. We speculate on the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in this protection against radiation. Therefore, seventeen microorganisms with high antagonistic activities against several multi-drug-resistant pathogens were isolated from the human and animal gut microbiota, as well as from traditional Armenian fermented products. These strains were tested in vivo on Wistar rats to determine their ability to protect the eukaryotic host against radiation damages. The efficiency of the probiotics' application and the dependence on pre- and post-radiation nutrition of rats were described. The effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Vahe, isolated from a healthy breastfed infant, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii IAHAHI, isolated from the fermented dairy product matsuni, on the survival of irradiated rats, and their blood leucocyte and glucose levels, were considered to be the most promising, based on this study's results.
