Genistein Inhibits Clostridioides difficile Infection via Estrogen Receptors and Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1

Abstract

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a debilitating nosocomial disease. Postmenopausal women may have an increased risk of CDI, suggesting estrogen influence. Soybean products contain a representative estrogenic isoflavone, genistein.

Methods: The anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of genistein were determined using primary human cells and fresh colonic tissues. The effects of oral genistein therapy among mice and hamsters were evaluated.

Results: Within 10 days of CDI, female c57BL/6J mice in a standard environment (regular diet) had a 50% survival rate, while those with estrogen depletion and in an isoflavone-free environment (soy-free diet) had a 25% survival rate. Oral genistein improved their 10-day survival rate to 100% on a regular diet and 75% in an isoflavone-free environment. Genistein reduced macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) secretion in fresh human colonic tissues exposed to toxins. Genistein inhibited MIP-1α secretion in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, abolished apoptosis and BCL-2-associated X (BAX) expression in human colonic epithelial cells, and activated lysine-deficient protein kinase 1 (WNK1) phosphorylation in both cell types. The anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of genistein were abolished by inhibiting estrogen receptors and WNK1.

Conclusions: Genistein reduces CDI disease activity by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine expression and apoptosis via the estrogen receptor/G-protein estrogen receptor/WNK1 pathways.

Keywords: apoptosis; cytokine; gender; hormone; isoflavone.