The Protective Effects of 2’-Fucosyllactose Against <i>E. Coli</i> O157 Infection Are Mediated by the Regulation of Gut Microbiota and the Inhibition of Pathogen Adhesion

Abstract

As the richest component in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) can reduce the colonization of harmful microbiota in vivo, thus lowering the risk of infection; however, the mechanism for this is still unclear. In this study, a model of Escherichia coli O157 infection in healthy adult mice was established to explore the effect of 2’-FL intervention on E. coli O157 colonization and its protective effects on mice. The results showed that 2’-FL intake reduced E. coli O157 colonization in mice intestine by more than 90% (p MUC2 (increased by more than 20%, p E. coli O157 cell adhesion (about 30% reduction, p Akkermansia, a potential probiotic, which may represent the fundamental means by which 2’-FL enhances the expression of mucin and reduces the colonization of harmful bacteria. The current study may support the use of 2’-FL in the prevention of foodborne pathogen infections in human.

Keywords

• 2’-fucosyllactose
• <i>E. coli</i> O157
• reduced colonization
• gut microbiota
• <i>Akkermansia</i>