Phthalates released from microplastics inhibit microbial metabolic activity and induce different effects on intestinal luminal and mucosal microbiota. (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Zehua; Zhang, Shenghu; Zhao, Yonggang; Yu, Wenyi; Zhao, Yanping; Zhang, Yan
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 310(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Additives -- Intestinal microbiota -- Kinetic release -- Metabolic inhibition; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119884
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The intestine is not only the main accumulation organ of microplastics (MPs), but also the intestinal environment is very conductive to the release of additives in MPs. However, the kinetics of release process, influence factors, and the related effects on gut microbiota remain largely unknown. In this study, a mucosal-simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (M-SHIME) was used to investigate the influence of gut microbiota on the release of phthalates (PAEs) from MPs and the effects of MPs on the intestinal luminal microbiota and mucosal microbiota. We found that di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di- n -butyl phthalate (DBP), and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) were the dominant PAEs released in the gut. Gut microbiota accelerated the release of PAEs, with the time to reach the maximum release was shortened from 7 days to 2 days. Moreover, MPs induced differential effects on luminal microbiota and mucosal microbiota. Compared with mucosal microbiota, the luminal microbiota was more susceptible to the leaching of PAEs from MPs, as evidenced by more microbiota alterations. MPs also inhibited the metabolic activity of intestinal flora based on the reduced production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These effects were mainly contributed by the release of PAEs. Acidaminococcus and Morganella were simultaneously correlated to the release of PAEs and the inhibition of metabolic activity of intestinal microbiota and can be used as indicators for the intestinal exposure of MPs and additives. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: M-SHIME was used to evaluate the release of PAEs from MPs and the related effects. Gut microbiota accelerated the release of PAEs from MPs. Luminal microbiota was more susceptible to the leaching of PAEs from MPs. The alterations in gut microbiota were mainly contributed by the release of PAEs. Acidaminococcus and Morganella were identified as key microorganisms.