Protective effect of Japanese green tea extract on gnotobiotic mice infected with an Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain

Abstract

We examined the effect of Japanese green tea extract (JGTE) on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 infection in a gnotobiotic mouse model. Gnotobiotic mice inoculated with an EHEC strain developed neurologic and systemic symptoms, usually culminating in death. In contrast, none of mice receiving dietary JGTE showed clinical signs or death. This report describes the effect of JGTE, which includes the inhibition of bacterial growth in vivo. The Shiga-like toxin (SLT) level in the feces of the JGTE diet group was significantly lower than that of the control group.