The aim of this work is in situ anodization/anaphoretic deposition of a nano amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)/chitosan oligosaccharide lactate (ChOL) multifunctional hybrid coating decorated with selenium (Se) on a titanium substrate and in vivo investigation of its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect. Investigating phenomena at the implant–tissue interface of interest for controlled inflammation and immunomodulation was also the aim of the research. In our earlier research, we designed coatings based on ACP and ChOL on titanium with anticorrosive, antibacterial and biocompatible properties, while in the presented results we show that selenium addition makes this coating an immunomodulator. The immunomodulatory effect of the novel hybrid coating is characterized by the examination of the functional aspects in the tissue around the implant (in vivo): proinflammatory cytokines’ gene expression, M1 (iNOS) and M2 (Arg1) macrophages, fibrous capsule formation (TGF-β) and vascularization (VEGF). The EDS, FTIR and XRD analyses prove the formation of a ACP/ChOL/Se multifunctional hybrid coating on Ti and the presence of Se. A higher M2/M1 macrophage ratio in the ACP/ChOL/Se-coated implants compared to pure titanium implants (a higher level of Arg1 expression) is noted at all time points examined (after 7, 14 and 28 days). Lower inflammation measured by gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF, lower expression of TGF-β in the surrounding tissue and higher IL-6 expression (solely at day 7 post-implantation) is noted in presence of the ACP/ChOL/Se-coated implants.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal that is distributed worldwide. Exposure to it is correlated with a vast number of diseases and organism malfunctions. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) derived from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BGAN8, EPS-AN8, previously showed great potential for the in vitro protection of intestinal cells from this metal. Here, we investigated the potential of food supplemented with EPS-AN8 to protect rats from the hazardous effects of Cd exposure. After thirty days of exposure to lower (5 ppm) and higher (50 ppm)-Cd doses, the administration of EPS-AN8 led to decreased Cd content in the kidneys, liver, and blood compared to only Cd-treated groups, whereas the fecal Cd content was strongly enriched. In addition, EPS-AN8 reversed Cd-provoked effects on the most significant parameters of oxidative stress (MDA, CAT, GST, and GSH) and inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) in the duodenum. Moreover, micrographs of the duodenum were in line with these findings. As the gut microbiota has an important role in maintaining homeostasis, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and investigated the effects of Cd and EPS-AN8 on one part of the microbiota presented in the duodenum. Although Cd decreased the growth of lactobacilli and mostly favored the blooming of opportunistic pathogen bacteria, parallel intake of EPS-AN8 reversed those changes. Therefore, our results imply that EPS-AN8 might be extremely noteworthy in combatting this toxic environmental pollutant.