Effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids in mice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153449
• Publication Date: 2023-02-02T18:24:46Z
• Authors: Huimeng Liu; Meiyu Wang; Guangrui Chen; Huiyu Zhou; Jiahui Dong; Lei Yang; Tong Li; Zhiyun Meng; Ruolan Gu; Hui Gan; Zhuona Wu; Shuchen Liu; Yunbo Sun; Yong Yuan; Guifang Dou
• Keywords: Lachnospiraceae

Radon (222Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Forty percent of the natural radiation to which human body exposed comes from radon Long-term exposure high concentrations induces systemic damage. However, effect such on gut microbiota still remains unclear. We explored effects and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in BALB/c mice by cumulative inhalation at 30, 60, 120 working level months (WLM). The radon-exposed showed slow weight gain, decreased serum triglycerides low-density lipoproteins, diversity, lower community structure, altered abundance microbiota. Lachnospiraceae, Amaricoccus, Enterococcus could differentiate IR30, WLM groups, respectively. Meanwhile, affected metabolic functions microbiota, mainly carbohydrate, amino acid, lipid pathways. resulting reduced levels SCFAs may aggravate damage caused exposure.