Zinc protects against Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli by acting on host tissues as well as on bacteria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Zinc supplements can treat or prevent enteric infections and diarrheal disease. Many articles on zinc in bacteria, however, highlight the essential nature of this metal for bacterial growth and virulence, suggesting that zinc should make infections worse, not better. To address this paradox, we tested whether zinc might have protective effects on intestinal epithelium as well as on the pathogen.

Results

Using polarized monolayers of T84 cells we found that zinc protected against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide, as measured by trans-epithelial electrical resistance. Zinc also reduced peroxide-induced translocation of Shiga toxin (Stx) across T84 monolayers from the apical to basolateral side. Zinc was superior to other divalent metals to (iron, manganese, and n

SUBMITTER: Crane JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4072484 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature