The Mechanisms of Cadmium Toxicity in Living Organisms 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 play a significant and multifaceted role in the pathogenicity of microbial species.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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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?
The study investigates how cadmium (Cd) exposure alters the composition of the microbiome in rats. Specifically, it examines the shift in microbial communities in the blood and gut, and how these changes are correlated with metabolic and inflammatory changes induced by Cd. The study explores the effects of Cd on the intestinal barrier, microbial diversity, and associated serum metabolites.
Who was studied?
The study involved Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats exposed to cadmium chloride (CdCl2). These rats were selected to model the physiological and microbiome-related effects of environmental Cd exposure. The research focused on how Cd exposure impacts the gut microbiota and its translocation to the blood, alongside changes in the blood microbiome.
Most important findings
The study found that Cd exposure disrupted the balance between gut and blood microbiota. It specifically increased the abundance of certain harmful bacteria such as Clostridia_UCG_014, which has been linked to inflammatory diseases like Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Cd exposure caused the translocation of microbiota from the gut to the blood, with an increase in the abundance of bacteria like Corynebacterium and Muribaculaceae. Metabolically, Cd exposure led to the upregulation of serum metabolites like indoxyl sulfate, phenyl sulfate, and p-cresol sulfate. These changes were associated with a decrease in essential metabolites like L-glutamine, which are crucial for intestinal barrier integrity. A significant link between microbial changes and inflammatory markers like TNF-α and interleukin-6 was also observed.
Key implications
The findings suggest that cadmium exposure not only disrupts microbial communities in the gut but also leads to systemic effects through the translocation of microbiota into the bloodstream. This translocation and the subsequent dysbiosis could exacerbate inflammation and increase the susceptibility to diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The study highlights the potential role of blood microbiome alterations as biomarkers for cadmium toxicity and the associated health risks. It also underscores the need for further research to explore the mechanisms behind these microbial shifts and their long-term health implications.