Effect of LCZ on cell growth and the blood-milk barrier
E. coli caused a significantly higher LDH release compared with other groups. No significant difference in LDH concentration was observed in the LCZ + E. coli and LCZ groups compared with the Control group (Figure 1A).
The change in TEER in BMECs treated with E. coli was negative and significantly lower than that of the other groups; specifically, the change in TEER was negative in the LCZ + E. coli group but significantly less negative compared with the change in TEER observed in the E. coli group. In addition, the change of TEER in the LCZ group was significantly higher than that of the Control group (Figure 1B).
The desmosome structure in the E. coli treatment group was severely damaged and blurred, as illustrated by TEM. Meanwhile, the degree of damage to the desmosome structure alleviated was noticeably greater in the LCZ + E. coli group compared with the E. coli group. Moreover, the desmosome structure in the LCZ group was clearly visible under TEM, and no clear difference was detected compared with the Control group (Figure 1C).