Zinc deficiency is closely associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal dysfunction. In this study, a zinc-deficient mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Ca360 ( B. lactis 360) combined with ZnSO4 on zinc metabolism, antioxidant capacity, intestinal integrity, and gut microbiota composition. Zinc deficiency significantly reduced organ indices and zinc levels, impaired antioxidant enzyme activities, and induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Combined supplementation with B. lactis Ca360 and ZnSO4 markedly restored zinc status, enhanced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, reduced nitric oxide levels, and alleviated colonic mucosal damage, with superior effects in several parameters compared with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v ( L. plantarum 299v). At the molecular level, B. lactis Ca360 upregulated duodenal zinc uptake and storage–related genes while suppressing pro-inflammatory gene expression. Moreover, B. lactis Ca360 reversed zinc deficiency–associated gut dysbiosis by reducing inflammation-related taxa and enriching Muribaculum, which was positively correlated with zinc status and antioxidant capacity. Overall, these findings demonstrate that B. lactis Ca360 combined with ZnSO4 effectively mitigates zinc deficiency–induced oxidative stress and intestinal dysfunction, highlighting its potential as a targeted probiotic strategy for managing zinc deficiency–related disorders.
Wang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: