Oral Administration of Bovine Lactoferrin-Derived Lactoferricin (Lfcin) B Could Attenuate Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia con 0157:H7 Induced Intestinal Disease through Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Microbiota

Lactoferricin (Lfcin) B, derived from lactoferrin in whey, has attracted considerable attention because of its multiple biological functions. Zoonotic enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) 0157:H7 has adverse effects on intestinal epithelial barrier function, leading to serious intestinal disease. In this study, the EHEC 0157:H7-induced intestinal dysfunction model was developed to investigate the effects of Lfcin B on EHEC 0157:H7-induced epithelial barrier disruption and microbiota dysbiosis. Results showed that the inflammatory infiltration indexes in the jejunum of Lfcin B-treated animals were significantly decreased. Lfcin B administration also significantly improved ZO-1 and occludin expression following 0157:H7 induced injury. Finally, microbiota analysis of the cecal samples revealed that Lfcin B inhibited the 0157:H7-induced abnormal increase in Bacteroides. Therefore, Lfcin B efficiently attenuated 0157:H7-induced epithelial barrier damage and dysregulation of inflammation status, while maintaining microbiota homeostasis in the intestine, indicating that it may be an excellent food source for prevention and therapy of EHEC 0157:H7-related intestinal dysfunction.