The inflammatory response is a key element in the innate immune response system and is primarily mediated by cytokines [54]. Very little is known about the immunotoxicology of heavy metals at the genetic level in fish. The cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α are primarily produced by monocytes and macrophages and regulate multiple aspects of the immune response. TNF-α affects tissue vasculature in inflammation and also induces acute phase proteins from the liver [55]. In the present study, TNF-α levels were found to be significantly lower in the Pb treated group than in the control. IL-1β levels were lower in the Pb-treated group, though this difference not statistically significant. The observed Ddown-regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β implicates NF-κB signaling pathway. However, L. reuteri P16 supplementation had a positive on TNF-α and IL-1β expression. In a previous study, Paul etal [8] recorded decreased TNF-α level in sera and cell lysates of freshwater fish Channa punctatus exposed to lead acetate. Based on the results of this study, it can be stated that Pb renders the fish in an immunocompromised and inflammatory state. Thus, TNF-α and IL-1β are down-regulated, probably by the action of the heavy metal [8], but probiotic supplementation reversed these effects on the expression of those genes. The synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps) increases in response to a variety of physical and chemical stressors, including temperature and metal stress, and consequently these proteins can be good environmental stress biomarkers [56]. Expression of HSPs which increased in Pb-exposure group, was further decreased in the L. reuteri P16 supplementation groupOur results indicated that Pb exposure significantly elevated the transcription level of HSP70 and HSP90 in the head-kidney of fish. However, L. reuteri P16 supplementation decreases the expression of HSPs and thus alleviated stress condition in fish. In agreement with the results of our study, Mohapatra et al [19] demonstrated that dietary supplementation of a probiotic mixture consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Lactococcus lactis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae decreased the expression of HSP70 in L. rohita. Stress-reducing factors produced by probiotics might have lowered the HSP levels in fish, reduced Pb-induced stress, and resulted in better growth and immunity. Interestingly, co-treatment with Pb and L. reuteri P16 reversed Pb-induced adverse effects on the carp species studied. The potential beneficial effects and protection by probiotics against Pb toxicity in carp has been shown in Figure 8. The hematological parameters indicated the ability of L. reuteri P16 to stimulate erythropoiesis, thereby increasing the oxygen transport, and a similar result had been reported earlier [13]. Previously, we have demonstrated the excellent Pb-binding ability of this strain [28]. Therefore, supplementing diets with this strain can reduce intestinal absorption of Pb and reduce Pb accumulation in other tissues. The strain L. reuteri P16 possess strong antioxidant abilities [28]. In the present study, co-treatment with Pb and L. reuteri P16 reduced Provisional production of MDA and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx). Thus, L. reuteri P16 alleviates the Pb-induced oxidative stress in carps. However, the underlying role of antioxidative activity of this strain against Pb-induced oxidative stress and dysfunction of the gut barrier need to be investigated further. In addition, co-treatment with Pb and L. reuteri P16 reversed the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β), which are associated with the NF-κB signaling pathway and subsequent decreases in reactive oxygen species production and prevents Pb-induced cellular apoptosis. However, comprehensive Pb tolerance mechanisms in LAB strains have not been investigated. Therefore, Pb stress response network in LAB strains are yet to be elucidated. Further, key proteins and pathways involved in Pb tolerance of lactobacilli strains are unknown. Hence, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based comparative and functional proteomic approaches could be utilized to explore Pb-tolerance related to key proteins and pathways in L. reuteri strains. Moreover, at this early stage of research, we do not know how probiotics repair the metabolic damages occurring in fish exposed to heavy metals; therefore, efforts should be made in the future to incorporate multiple targets (genes, proteins, and metabolites) for exploring heavy metal defense mechanisms of probiotics in hosts. Notably, treatment with L. reuteri P16 alone did not exert any adverse effects on growth performance, hemato