Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
06:04

Ex Vivo Intestinal Sacs to Assess Mucosal Permeability in Models of Gastrointestinal Disease

Published on: February 9, 2016

Production of toxic volatile trimethylbismuth by the intestinal microbiota of mice

Britta Huber1, Philip Dammann, Christine Krüger

  • 1Department of Microbioloy I, University of Duisburg-Essen, UniversitaetsstraBe 2, 45141 Essen, Germany.

Journal of Toxicology
|October 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The mammalian intestinal microbiota is essential for producing toxic methylated metals and metalloids. This study shows that gut microbes drive bismuth methylation and accumulation in mouse tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Microbial biotransformation of metals and metalloids into volatile methylated derivatives is crucial for environmental spread.
  • Anaerobic conditions, such as those in the mammalian gut, facilitate this process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the indispensable role of the intestinal microbiota in methylating metals and metalloids to volatile derivatives in vivo.
  • To compare the methylation capability of conventionally raised (CONV) and germ-free (GF) mice.

Main Methods:

  • Conventionally raised (CONV) and germ-free (GF) B6 mice were fed colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS).
  • Analysis of volatile methylated bismuth compounds (trimethylbismuth) in blood and bismuth concentrations in organs (liver, lung, testicles, brain) was performed.

Main Results:

  • Permethylated volatile trimethylbismuth was detected only in the blood of CONV mice.
  • CONV mice exhibited significantly higher bismuth concentrations in organs compared to GF mice (P > 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • The presence of an intact intestinal microbiota is essential for the production of volatile methylated metal(loid) derivatives.
  • Intestinal biomethylation of bismuth correlates with its accumulation in mammalian tissues.

More Related Videos

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach08:24

Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach

Published on: May 2, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine01:29

Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine

The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...