Exposure to concentrated ambient PM2.5 (CAPM) induces intestinal disturbance via inflammation and alternation of gut microbiome

Shanshan Xie; Caihong Zhang; Jinzhuo Zhao; Dan Li; Jianmin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2022.107138

Exposure to concentrated ambient PM_2.5 (CAPM) induces intestinal disturbance via inflammation and alternation of gut microbiome

Environ Int. 2022 Mar:161:107138. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107138. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

Authors

Shanshan Xie¹, Caihong Zhang², Jinzhuo Zhao³, Dan Li⁴, Jianmin Chen¹

Affiliations

¹ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
³ Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health and the Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. Electronic address: jinzhuozhao@fudan.edu.cn.
⁴ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Particle Pollution and Prevention (LAP3), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; IRDR International Center of Excellence on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: lidanfudan@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 35176574
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107138

Abstract

Air pollution causes a great disease burden worldwide. Recent evidences suggested that PM_2.5 contributes to intestinal disease. The objective of present study was to investigate the influence of ambient PM_2.5 on intestinal tissue and microbiome via whole-body inhalation exposure. The results showed that high levels and prolonged periods exposure to concentrated ambient PM_2.5 (CAPM) could destroy the mucous layer of the colon, and significantly alter the mRNA expression of tight junction (Occludin and ZO-1) and inflammation-related (IL-6, IL-10 and IL-1β) genes in the colon, comparing with exposure to the filtered air (FA). The composition of intestinal microbiome at the phylum and genus levels also varied along with the exposure time and PM_2.5 levels. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes was greatly decreased, while Proteobacteria was increased after exposure to CAPM, comparing with exposure to FA. At the genus level, Clostridium XlVa, Akkermansia and Acetatifactor, were significantly elevated exposure to CAPM, comparing with exposure to FA. Our results also indicated that high levels and prolonged periods exposure to CAPM altered metabolic functional pathways. The correlation analysis showed that the intestinal inflammation was related to the alteration of gut microbiome induced by CAPM exposure, which may be a potential mechanism that elucidates PM_2.5-induced intestinal diseases. These results extend our knowledge on the toxicology and health effects of ambient PM_2.5.

Keywords: Ambient PM(2.5); Correlations; Inflammation; Inhalation exposure; Intestinal microbiome.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Air Pollution* / analysis
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Inflammation
Inhalation Exposure / analysis
Particulate Matter / analysis

Substances

Air Pollutants
Particulate Matter