Bioaccessibility of arsenic from contaminated soils and alteration of the gut microbiome in an in vitro gastrointestinal model. (15th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griggs, Jennifer L.; Chi, Liang; Hanley, Nancy M.; Kohan, Michael; Herbin-Davis, Karen; Thomas, David J.; Lu, Kun; Fry, Rebecca C.; Bradham, Karen D.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 309(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-15
• Subjects: 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.2022.119753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Arsenic exposure has been reported to alter the gut microbiome in mice. Activity of the gut microbiome derived from fecal microbiota has been found to affect arsenic bioaccessibility in an in vitro gastrointestinal (GI) model. Only a few studies have explored the relation between arsenic exposure and changes in the composition of the gut microbiome and in arsenic bioaccessibility. Here, we used simulated GI model system (GIMS) containing a stomach, small intestine, colon phases and microorganisms obtained from mouse feces (GIMS-F) and cecal contents (GIMS-C) to assess whether exposure to arsenic-contaminated soils affect the gut microbiome and whether composition of the gut microbiome affects arsenic bioaccessibility. Soils contaminated with arsenic did not alter gut microbiome composition in GIMS-F colon phase. In contrast, arsenic exposure resulted in the decline of bacteria in GIMS-C, including members of Clostridiaceae, Rikenellaceae, and Parabacteroides due to greater diversity and variability in microbial sensitivity to arsenic exposure. Arsenic bioaccessibility was greatest in the acidic stomach phase of GIMS (pH 1.5–1.7); except for GIMS-C colon phase exposed to mining-impacted soil in which greater levels of arsenic solubilized likely due to microbiome effects. Physicochemical properties of different test soils likely influenced variability in arsenic bioaccessibility (GIMS-F bioaccessibility range: 8–37%, GIMS-C bioaccessibility range: 2–18%) observed in this study. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Gastrointestinal microbial system (GIMS) simulates gastrointestinal metalloid exposure. GIMS-Cecum sustains greater microbial diversity than GIMS-Feces. Simulated ingestion of soil arsenic results in disappearance of GI microbes. Similarity of GIMS arsenic bioaccessibility to bioavailability is soil dependent.