Probiotics, Galacto-oligosaccharides, and zinc antagonize biological effects of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli on cultured cells and brine shrimp model

Abstract

The effect of GOS, Zn, and two probiotic strains (Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 and Lactobacillus kefiri CIDCA 8348) against EHEC biological effects was studied using Vero cells and Artemia nauplii to evaluate its toxicity, and Caco 2 cells, to evaluate its adherence. GOS, Zn, and GOS-Zn decreased the cytotoxic effect of EHEC supernatants on Vero cells. The addition of L. plantarum CIDCA 83114 and L kefiri CIDCA 8348 did not have a significant protective effect against EHEC supernatants. Only one negative interaction between L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 and Zn was observed on Vero cells. In the case of Artemia nauplii, an increase in survival was also observed when GOS and GOS-Zn were added. Zinc was the most effective element to inhibit EHEC adherence to Caco cells. L. plantarum CIDCA 83114 and L. kefiri CIDCA 8348 were not able to reduce significantly per se the adherence of the pathogen to Caco-2/TC7 cells. The beneficial effect of probiotics, GOS, and Zn against EHEC biological toxicity supports their incorporation into functional foods.