Quercetin alleviates ETEC K88-induced host injury by driving the circulation and fluctuation of AHL-like quorum-sensing signaling molecules in the blood–liver–colon system

Abstract:
Background: Quercetin is a flavonoid with various probiotic properties, demonstrating anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity effects in humans and animals. However, quercetin’s effect on enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88-induced host body injury mediated by bacterial quorum sensing remains insufficiently explored.
Results: Quercetin supplementation alleviated ETEC K88-induced body damage in weaned piglets, changed the microbial composition of the host intestinal tract, enriched the main probiotic Lactobacillus amylovorus, and inhibited microbial functions, such as virulence factor secretion. In addition, it influenced changes in AHL-type quorum-sensing signaling molecules in the host circulation. The signaling pathway alleviated ETEC K88-induced host intestinal barrier and inflammatory damage.
Conclusion: This study provides a theoretical framework for further understanding and exploring the use of quorum sensing as a medium to alleviate human and animal diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and other external adverse factors.