Effects of Selenium- and Zinc-Enriched Lactobacillus plantarum SeZi on Antioxidant Capacities and Gut Microbiome in an ICR Mouse Model

Abstract

Selenium and zinc are essential trace minerals for humans with various biological functions. In this study, selenium- and zinc-tolerant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates were screened out from human fecal samples. Amongst three hundred LAB isolates, the Lactobacillus plantarum SeZi strain displayed the tolerance against selenium and zinc with the greatest biomass production and bioaccumulation of selenium and zinc. To further assess the characteristics of this strain, the lyophilized L. plantarum SeZi were prepared and administered to Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. The mice were divided into four groups, provided with normal chow (Con), or normal chow supplemented with Na2SeO3 and ZnSO4∙7H2O (SZ), L. plantarum SeZi (Lp), or selenium- and zinc-enriched L. plantarum SeZi (SZ + Lp), respectively. After 4 weeks of oral administration, the concentrations of selenium and zinc in blood were significantly increased in the SZ + Lp group when compared to the control or SZ group (p < 0.05). The increased selenium level led to an enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity and decreased blood malondialdehyde level in the SZ + Lp group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the results of bacterial community and microbial metabolic pathway analysis via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing showed that L. plantarum SeZi significantly promoted the utilization of selenocysteine, seleno-cystathionine and seleno-methionine in the selenocompounds metabolism. Here, the in vivo antioxidant capacities of the selenium- and zinc-enriched lactobacillus strain showed us the utilization of a unique probiotic as a Se/Zn supplement with high availability, low toxicity, and additional probiotic advantages.

Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Minerals in Relation to a Healthy Gut Microbiome

“…In a further study, the Se content in the liver of animals fed a diet fortified with Se-enriched Bifidobacterium longum was much higher than that of animals fed a selenite-enriched diet [29]. Se-and Zn-enriched probiotics might thus be applied as promising functional food ingredients in the future [135]. Probiotics enriched with Se and Zn possibly increase bioavailability and absorption when compared with their inorganic forms, thus opening up another application for probiotics [153].…”

“…The gastrointestinal microbiota has been shown to affect Se status and selenoprotein expression in mice [148] and is able to sequester Se and to restrict its availability to the host [149]. Bacteria may compete with the host for Se when availability becomes limiting [148], although, in the mouse model, Lactobacillus plantarum enriched with Se and Zn increases antioxidant activity and blood Se levels [135]. In the study of Krausova et al [27], the administration of Se-enriched lactic acid bacteria (Streptococcus thermophilus and Enterococcus faecium) improved the antioxidant status of the rats.…”

Designated functional microcapsules loaded with green synthesis selenium nanorods and probiotics for enhancing stirred yogurt

“…Also, González-Olivares et al 56 detected that the lactic acid bacteria can survive in concentrations over 200 mg/L of Na 2 SeO 3 . Kang et al 57 indicated for lactobacilli species grew in the presence of 60 mM selenite, including Lb. plantarum, Lb.…”

Skin Minerals: Key Roles of Inorganic Elements in Skin Physiological Functions

“…Recent experiments with probiotic isolates permitted bioaccumulation of selenium and zinc in the blood of mice fed with the selenium- and zinc-enriched lactobacillus strain. The fact that the animals also showed increased antioxidant capacities indicates new perspectives in mineral-induced modulation of the redox status [ 62 ].…”