Supplemental Zinc exerts a positive effect against the heat stress damage in intestinal epithelial cells: Assays in a Caco-2 model

Abstract

• The effect of Zn in Caco-2 cells under heat stress was investigated for first time. • Zn pretreatment induces beneficial effects on cell viability and membrane integrity. • ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme defense indicate antioxidant power of Zn. • Supplemental Zn partly prevent heat stress-induced damage in TEER and permeability. Heat stress (HS) lead to intestinal epithelial damage through induction of cellular oxidative stress. Since Zn is an essential nutrient with antioxidant properties that is involved in maintaining the intestinal barrier function, this study aimed to examine the effects of Zn supplementation in the intestinal epithelium under HS. Caco-2 cells were pre-incubated with Zn (50 and 100 µM) prior to control (37 °C) or HS conditions (41–42 °C) for 24 h. Zn pretreatment reduced the lactate dehydrogenase release, a parameter reflecting the cell membrane damage. Zn supplementation alleviated the ROS generation in cells exposed to HS and promoted the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, Zn (specially 50 µM) partly attenuated the HS induced damage on monolayer integrity as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance and phenol red permeability. Therefore, Zn supplementation had beneficial effects on the intestinal damage evoked by high temperatures and may be a useful nutritional strategy against global warming.