Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in food endangers human health. Probiotics can protect animals and human against heavy metals, but the detoxification mechanism has not been fully clarified. Here, mice were supplemented with Pediococcus acidilactici strain BT36 isolated from Tibetan plateau yogurt, with strong antioxidant activity but no chromate reduction ability for 20 days to ensure gut colonization. Strain BT36 decreased chromate accumulation, reduced oxidative stress, and attenuated histological damage in the liver of mice. 16S rRNA and metatranscriptome sequencing analysis of fecal microbiota showed that BT36 reversed Cr(VI)-induced changes in gut microbial composition and metabolic activity. Specifically, BT36 recovered the expressions of 788 genes, including 34 inherent Cr remediation-relevant genes. Functional analysis of 10 unannotated genes regulated by BT36 suggested the existence of a new Cr(VI)-reduction gene in the gut microbiota. Thus, BT36 can modulate the gut microbiota in response to Cr(VI) induced oxidative stress and protect against Cr toxicity.
Highlights
Heavy metal contamination in food endangers human health
BT36 mildly attenuated Cr(VI)-induced body weight changes in mice and no significant differences in food consumption were observed among the six groups (Supplementary Fig. 1), suggesting that the discrepancy in growth rate resulted from Cr(VI) treatment rather than food consumption
These results showed that Cr(VI) intake increased the Cr levels in tissues and feces, and that supplementation with BT36 rather than XS40, effectively reduced Cr accumulation and facilitated its excretion
Summary
Heavy metal contamination in food endangers human health. BT36 can modulate the gut microbiota in response to Cr(VI) induced oxidative stress and protect against Cr toxicity. With global expansion of industrial activities, heavy metals (HMs) are increasingly released to environment through various anthropogenic processes, leading to contamination of the atmosphere, water, and soil. Phytoremediation has been generally accepted for decontamination of HMs-polluted soils compared with conventional physical-chemical remediation, due to its costeffective, environment- and eco-friendly on-site application[5]. It may be less effective considering the vast area of pollution and the long remediation duration required for plant growth[6]. Humans will be inevitably exposed to HM contaminated foods, especially in developing countries
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