What happens to gut microorganisms and potential repair mechanisms when meet heavy metal(loid)s. (15th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Xiaoyi; Zhang, Jinhua; Si, Jing; Li, Pingping; Gao, Haining; Li, Weikun; Chen, Yong
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 317(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-15
• Subjects: Heavy metal(loid)s -- Gut microbe -- Metabolites -- Probiotics -- Recombinant bacteria; 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.2022.120780
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Heavy metal (loid) pollution is a significant threat to human health, as the intake of heavy metal (loid)s can cause disturbances in intestinal microbial ecology and metabolic disorders, leading to intestinal and systemic diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of heavy metal (loid)s on intestinal microorganisms and the necessary approaches to restore them after damage. This review provides a summary of the effects of common toxic elements, such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and metalloid arsenic (As), on the microbial community and structure, metabolic pathways and metabolites, and intestinal morphology and structure. The effects of heavy metal (loid)s on metabolism are focused on energy, nitrogen, and short-chain fatty acid metabolism. We also discussed the main solutions for recovery of intestinal microorganisms from the effects of heavy metal (loid)s, namely the supplementation of probiotics, recombinant bacteria with metal resistance, and the non-toxic transformation of heavy metal (loid) ions by their own intestinal flora. This article provides insight into the toxic effects of heavy metals and As on gut microorganisms and hosts and provides additional therapeutic options to mitigate the damage caused by these toxic elements. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Pb, Cd, As and Cr cause alterations in guts microbial diversity. Pb, Cd, As and Cr disturbing gut microbes can lead to metabolic abnormalities. Probiotics as an effective way to alleviate metal(loid)s damage in gut microbes. Gut metal-resistant bacteria as an important pathway for heavy metal(loid)s detoxification.