Subchronic exposure to PM2.5 induced renal function damage and intestinal microflora changes in rats

Qiang Fu; Sen Li; Lu Xu; Na Gao; Weiqi Wu; Qintao Xu; Yuping Huang; Xiaoliu Huang; Yushan Huang

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115666

Subchronic exposure to PM_2.5 induced renal function damage and intestinal microflora changes in rats

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Nov 15:267:115666. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115666. Epub 2023 Nov 8.

Authors

Qiang Fu¹, Sen Li², Lu Xu³, Na Gao³, Weiqi Wu³, Qintao Xu³, Yuping Huang⁴, Xiaoliu Huang⁵, Yushan Huang⁶

Affiliations

¹ Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343000, China; Center for Clinical Medicine Research, Health Science Center, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China.
² Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
³ Center for Clinical Medicine Research, Health Science Center, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China.
⁵ Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343000, China; Center for Clinical Medicine Research, Health Science Center, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China; Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: huangxl1976@163.com.
⁶ Center for Evidence Based Medical and Clinical Research, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China. Electronic address: 3218680@qq.com.

PMID: 37944465
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115666

Abstract

Background: Exposure to inhalable environmental particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or smaller (PM_2.5) is associated with decreased or impaired kidney function, but the underlying biological mechanisms are not fully understood. Gut microbiota is an emerging key player in the homeostasis regulation of the gut-kidney axis. Few studies have investigated its role in PM_2.5 exposure-induced gut-kidney axis homeostasis abnormalities.

Methods: In this study, a versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system for medium- to long-term whole-body exposure was used to expose Sprague-Dawley rats to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM_2.5 for 12 weeks. A correlation analysis of renal impairment and the intestinal microbiome was performed.

Results: The urine flow rate calculation and renal function analysis showed that PM_2.5 exposure significantly impaired renal function and increased the urine flow rate. The fecal microbiota analysis showed that renal impairment and increased urine flow rates were consistent with the reduced estimates of the fecal bacteria Chao1, observed-species, Shannon, and Simpson (richness and diversity indices). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the estimated bacterial richness and diversity were correlated with the urine flow rate and renal function. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed differences between animals exposed to PM_2.5 and FA in 25 bacterial groups. Further correlation of a single bacterial taxon with the urine flow rate and renal function showed that the relative abundances of 30, 29, 21, and 50 distinct bacterial groups were significantly correlated with the urine flow rate, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum cystatin C (CysC), and beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG), respectively.

Conclusion: Subchronic exposure to PM_2.5 can cause intestinal ecological disorders, which may, in turn, lead to decreased kidney function or the development of impaired kidney function.

Keywords: Intestinal microflora; PM(2.5); Rats; Renal function.

MeSH terms

Air Pollutants* / analysis
Animals
Environmental Exposure / analysis
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Glomerular Filtration Rate
Kidney / chemistry
Kidney / physiology
Particulate Matter / analysis
Particulate Matter / toxicity
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

Particulate Matter
Air Pollutants