Proanthocyanidins and probiotics combination supplementation ameliorated intestinal injury in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infected diarrhea mice

Abstract

The protective effects of the oligomeric proanthocyanidins from lotus seedpod (LSPC) and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG and Bifidobacterium Bb-12) were evaluated in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infected diarrhea mice. In normal mice, LSPC, LGG and Bb-12 showed no intestinal injury effect. In the prophylactic groups fed with LSPC and probiotics for 10 days, diarrhea signs were significantly reduced. The marker of intestine barrier, inflammatory response and oxidant stress were significantly improved. In addition, LSPC and probiotics regulated the expressions of tight junction proteins and inflammatory mediators via MAPKs pathway. Furthermore, the combination of LSPC and probiotics (LGG and Bb-12) could significantly improve the effect of treating diarrhea alone. These findings suggested that LSPC could act as prebiotics combining with probiotics to improve the composition of intestinal microbes and further reduce ETEC-induced diarrhea consequences. It might provide a novel potential natural therapeutic agent to resist ETEC infected diarrhea disease.

Keywords

• Oligomeric procyanidins
• Tight junctions
• Intestinal barrier
• Inflammatory
• Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
• Diarrhea