L. Tubers (Tiger Nuts) Protect Epithelial Barrier Function in Caco-2 Cells Infected by Enteritidis and Promote Growth.

L. tubers (tiger nuts) contain different compounds with several intestinal health-promoting properties. Here, we studied the capacity of tiger nuts from Valencia, Spain, to prevent epithelial barrier function disruption induced by enteritidis in Caco-2 cell cultures. Paracellular permeability was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and tight junction protein immunolocalization. Moreover, the effect of tiger nuts on enteritidis agglutination, oxidative stress, and growth was tested. Compared to controls, tiger nuts partially restored TER in enteritidis-infected cultures, an effect confirmed by immunolocalization of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The results also revealed that this protective effect may be associated with the capacity to agglutinate the pathogen, restore TER in TNFα-stimulated cultures, and reduce reactive oxygen species in HO-stimulated cultures. Moreover, they favor growth. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the tiger nut protects epithelial barrier function by reducing bacterial invasion, along with counteracting TNFα and HO effects, thus giving an additional value to this tuber as a potential functional food.