Abstract
Zinc (Zn) has been shown to improve diarrhea. However, mechanism linking Zn to improve inflammatory diarrhea caused by Shigella sp. is not known. We tested that Zn restore paracellular and transcellular ion transport by modulating tight junction protein expression and chloride secretion, altered by Shigella infection. Human colonic epithelial cells, T84 were grown onto transwell inserts for measurements of permeability to dextrans, transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), short‐circuit current (Isc), and dilution potential (DP) in Ussing chamber. Cells infected with Shigella flexneri 2a caused reduction of TER by 40%, DP [4 ± 1.2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.3 mV] which was prevented in presence of Zn. An increase in paracellular flux of 4kDa dextran [2.1± 0.6 vs. 0.8 ± 0.2 µg/3.5hr/cm2] with respect to 70kDa was evident while in the presence of Zn, flux of 4kDa dextran was reversed by 52%. Immunofluorescence study revealed removal of claudin 1 and 2 from tight junction complex correlated with the loss of TER and paracellular flux. Studies with Ussing chambers demonstrated reduced cAMP stimulated electrogenic ion transport in infected cells. Zn application prevented this effect. Our results suggest that in T84 cells, Shigella infection caused (1) altered barrier function (2) altered Cl secretion. Zn application reversed these transport functions. These conclude that Zn may have beneficial role in inflammatory diarrhea.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
