Exposure to environmental pollutants selects for xenobiotic-degrading functions in the human gut microbiome 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
Heavy metals influence microbial pathogenicity in two ways: they can be toxic to microbes by disrupting cellular functions and inducing oxidative stress, and they can be exploited by pathogens to enhance survival, resist treatment, and evade immunity. Understanding metal–microbe interactions supports better antimicrobial and public health strategies.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes are microscopic organisms living in and on the human body, shaping health through digestion, vitamin production, and immune protection. When microbial balance is disrupted, disease can occur. This guide explains key microbe types—bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and archaea—plus major pathogenic and beneficial examples.
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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?
This study explored the effects of environmental pollutants on the gut microbiome, particularly the selection for xenobiotic-degrading functions. Researchers analyzed the microbiome composition and function in individuals living in areas with varying levels of pollution, specifically focusing on pollutants like heavy metals and dioxins. The study aimed to understand how long-term exposure to pollutants influences the gut microbiome’s ability to degrade harmful chemicals and how such changes may affect human health.
Who was studied?
The study focused on a cohort of 359 individuals from the Campania region of Southern Italy, a region with a well-documented history of environmental pollution. Participants were categorized based on their level of exposure to pollution, which was quantified using the Municipality Index of Environmental Pressure (MIEP). The subjects were divided into three groups: high, medium, and low environmental pollution, with additional factors such as age, sex, and lifestyle habits considered in the analysis.
Most important findings
The study revealed that environmental pollutants, particularly dioxins and heavy metals, lead to significant changes in the gut microbiome. The group exposed to the highest levels of pollution showed an increase in microbial species associated with the degradation of pollutants, including Actinomycetota and Pseudomonadota. Notably, genes responsible for the degradation of dioxins and other pollutants were enriched in the microbiomes of individuals from highly polluted areas. Additionally, exposure to pollutants correlated with an increase in antibiotic resistance genes, highlighting the potential risk of co-selecting for resistance to both environmental pollutants and antibiotics. The high and medium pollution groups also exhibited a higher abundance of microbial genes related to heavy metal transport and resistance, suggesting an adaptation of the microbiome to the pollutant-rich environment.
Key implications
This study underscores the gut microbiome’s role in responding to environmental pollutants and highlights the potential for using the microbiome as a tool to assess the impacts of pollution on human health. The findings suggest that the microbiome may serve as a defense mechanism by detoxifying harmful compounds, but the selection for xenobiotic-degrading microbes may also promote the co-selection of antibiotic resistance, which poses significant public health risks. These results emphasize the need for incorporating microbiome health into environmental risk assessments and stress the importance of further research into how environmental pollutants shape the microbiome and its associated functions.