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Reduction of gut microbial diversity and short chain fatty acids in BALB/c mice exposure to microcystin-LR

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Abstract

Gut microbiota has been shown to play critical roles in host health. The present study was to determine the toxicological effects of microcystin-LR (MCLR) on gut microbial community and metabolites using 16S rDNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). MCLR was administered to BALB/c mice by gavage for eight weeks. Results of the microbial alpha-diversity (Sobs, Chao1, ACE and Shannon indexes) decreased in MCLR-treated group versus controls. Phylum Candidatus Saccharibacteria decreased significantly in MCLR-treated group versus controls. Correspondingly, more than thirties genera in relative abundance decreased, especially short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria (e.g., Alistipes and Ruminococcus). These results indicated that the gut microbial community structure was remarkably changed by MCLR. Furthermore, concentrations of SCFAs were significantly decreased after MCLR exposure (P < 0.01), where butyrate decreased as high as 4.9-fold. Consequently, sub-chronic exposure to MCLR could not only alter the microbial composition but metabolites. This study offered novel insights into the toxic mechanism of MCs from gut microbiota, and facilitated further clarification of risks to human health from MCs exposure.

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Funding

The project was supported by Youth Foundations of Changchun University of Science and Technology, China (XQNJJ-2016-16), Science and Technology Research Project of Jilin Province, China (JJKH20181128KJ) and Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program of JiLin Province (201910186177, 201910186187).

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  1. Changchun University of Science and Technology, School of Life Science and Technology, Changchun, 130022, China

    Zhang Guilin, Zhang Pengyu, Li Wei, Hao Fengqi, Fangmei Chen, Yang Yu, Hou Yue & Tao Yuting

  2. Wuhan Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School, Wuhan, 430220, China

    Li Wei

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  1. Zhang Guilin
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  2. Zhang Pengyu
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  3. Li Wei
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Correspondence to Li Wei.

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Guilin, Z., Pengyu, Z., Wei, L. et al. Reduction of gut microbial diversity and short chain fatty acids in BALB/c mice exposure to microcystin-LR. Ecotoxicology 29, 1347–1357 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-020-02254-9

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