1. The Human Gut Microbiome’s Influence on Arsenic Toxicity
- Author
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Seth T. Walk, Barbara A. Roggenbeck, and Michael Coryell
- Subjects
inorganic chemicals ,0301 basic medicine ,Physiology ,chemistry.chemical_element ,Human gut microbiome ,010501 environmental sciences ,Biology ,Health outcomes ,01 natural sciences ,Biochemistry ,Article ,Arsenic ,03 medical and health sciences ,Human gut ,Drug Discovery ,Genetics ,Microbiome ,ARSENIC EXPOSURE ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Pharmacology ,integumentary system ,Arsenic toxicity ,3. Good health ,Bioavailability ,030104 developmental biology ,chemistry ,13. Climate action ,Toxicity - Abstract
Purpose of ReviewArsenic exposure is a public health concern of global proportions with a high degree of interindividual variability in pathologic outcomes. Arsenic metabolism is a key factor underlying toxicity, and the primary purpose of this review is to summarize recent discoveries concerning the influence of the human gut microbiome on the metabolism, bioavailability, and toxicity of ingested arsenic. We review and discuss the current state of knowledge along with relevant methodologies for studying these phenomena.Recent FindingsBacteria in the human gut can biochemically transform arsenic-containing compounds (arsenicals). Recent publications utilizing culture-based approaches combined with analytical biochemistry and molecular genetics have helped identify several arsenical transformations by bacteria that are at least possible in the human gut and are likely to mediate arsenic toxicity to the host. Other studies that directly incubate stool samples in vitro also demonstrate the gut microbiome’s potential to alter arsenic speciation and bioavailability. In vivo disruption or elimination of the microbiome has been shown to influence toxicity and body burden of arsenic through altered excretion and biotransformation of arsenicals. Currently, few clinical or epidemiological studies have investigated relationships between the gut microbiome and arsenic-related health outcomes in humans, although current evidence provides strong rationale for this research in the future.SummaryThe human gut microbiome can metabolize arsenic and influence arsenical oxidation state, methylation status, thiolation status, bioavailability, and excretion. We discuss the strength of current evidence and propose that the microbiome be considered in future epidemiologic and toxicologic studies of human arsenic exposure.
- Published
- 2019