Bioavailability of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury as measured by intestinal permeability Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Metals
Metals
OverviewHeavy metals play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species. Their involvement can be viewed from two primary perspectives: the toxicity of heavy metals to microbes and the exploitation of heavy metals by microbial pathogens to establish infections and evade the host immune response. Understanding these aspects is critical for both […]
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
The study focused on assessing the bioavailability of four heavy metals, including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg)—by evaluating their intestinal permeability using a Caco-2 cell model. This model mimics the intestinal epithelium and is commonly used to measure how substances are absorbed across the intestinal barrier. The research investigated how gut microbes and chelating agents influence the bioavailability of these metal(loid)s, exploring their interaction with intestinal cells and their potential to reduce metal absorption.
Who was studied?
The study used an in vitro model, employing Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal epithelial cell line, to replicate the intestinal barrier and assess metal(loid) transport. Additionally, two bacterial species, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus, were introduced to observe their effects on the permeability of the heavy metals. The research also explored the role of chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS), to investigate how these compounds could reduce the absorption of heavy metals.
Most important findings
The study demonstrated that the presence of gut microbes and chelating agents significantly reduced the intestinal permeability of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Specifically, the permeability of these metal(loid)s was lower when gut bacteria were present, with Lactobacillus acidophilus showing a stronger impact than Escherichia coli. Chelating agents, particularly EDTA and DMPS, also decreased the absorption of these metals by forming complexes, making them less permeable across the intestinal barrier. The presence of both gut microbes and chelating agents significantly reduced the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) values, a key measure of permeability. The reduction in permeability varied among the different metal(loid)s, indicating that each metal interacted differently with the gut environment and treatment agents. These findings suggest that both gut bacteria and chelating agents could serve as strategies to reduce the bioavailability and subsequent toxicity of these metals.
Key implications
This study has important implications for public health and toxicology. By demonstrating that gut microbes and chelating agents can influence the absorption of heavy metals, this opens up potential therapeutic avenues to mitigate metal toxicity, particularly in individuals with chronic exposure. The results highlight the importance of the gut microbiome in modulating the absorption of environmental contaminants and suggest that interventions aimed at restoring or enhancing beneficial gut bacteria could reduce the harmful effects of heavy metals. Furthermore, the use of chelating agents may provide a complementary approach to reduce the bioavailability of toxic metals in the gastrointestinal tract, offering a potential strategy for reducing heavy metal poisoning.
Arsenic (As)
Arsenic can disrupt both human health and microbial ecosystems. Its impact on the gut microbiome can lead to dysbiosis, which has been linked to increased disease susceptibility and antimicrobial resistance. Arsenic's ability to interfere with cellular processes, especially through its interaction with essential metals like phosphate and zinc, exacerbates these effects. By understanding how arsenic affects microbial communities and how these interactions contribute to disease, we can develop more effective interventions, including microbiome-targeted therapies and nutritional strategies, to mitigate its harmful effects.
Cadmiun (Cd)
Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal commonly found in industrial, agricultural, and environmental settings. Exposure to cadmium can occur through contaminated water, food, soil, and air, and it has been linked to a variety of health issues, including kidney damage, osteoporosis, and cancer. In agriculture, cadmium is often present in phosphate fertilizers and can accumulate in plants, entering the food chain. Its toxicity to living organisms makes cadmium a subject of regulatory concern worldwide, particularly in industrial waste disposal and environmental monitoring.
Lead (Pb)
Lead exposure has a profound effect on the microbiome, disrupting microbial diversity, immune responses, and contributing to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Understanding how Pb interacts with microbial communities and impacts host-pathogen dynamics is essential for clinicians to mitigate long-term health risks and improve treatment strategies.
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a versatile bacterium, from gut commensal to pathogen, linked to chronic conditions like endometriosis.