Effect of supplemental zinc on the E.coli infection in vitro model of space travel

Zinc has several positive effects on the immune system''s defense against infectious agents. However، very little research has been done on its effects in terms of microgravity. In this study، 24 rats randomly selected for four groups، two groups microgravity simulation (TS) and two groups of normal gravity (F) which were supply with or without oral zinc supplements. After two weeks، Enteropathogenic E. coli peritoneal injection was carried out and after 24 hours specimens of blood، peritoneal fluid، and spleen tissue were cultured. The statistical analysis was performed on tables provide the number of grown colonies. TS groups compared to the F groups had greater numbers of colonies (p≤0. 05). It was observed that adding supplemental zinc to the diet either in TS or F groups would reduce the number of colonies grown in cultures of blood، peritoneal fluid، and spleen. The present study revealed the extent of bacterial infection in microgravity is over the normal gravity mode. The administration of oral zinc supplementation، in both microgravity and normal gravity، leads to reduce the bacterial infection. As a result، the use of oral zinc supplement is recommended for reducing and controlling bacterial infection in space travel.