Oral Administration of a Heat-Killed Cell Preparation of Enterococcus faecalis Strain EC-12 Stimulates the Gene Expression of Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ Co-Transporter 1 in Rat Ileal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

The effect of a heat-killed cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) on the gene expression of Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ co-transporter 1 (NKCC1) in intestinal epithelial cells was evaluated by using rats. The NKCC1 gene in ileal epithelial cells was significantly up-regulated by the oral administration of EC-12. The results of this study suggest in vivo that EC-12 had the potential to stimulate intestinal NKCC1 expression.