Bisphenol A alters gut microbiome: Comparative metagenomics analysis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Health
• Metabolic Science

Background:

• Alterations in gut microbiota are linked to diet, animal health, and metabolic diseases.
• Environmental contaminants' effects on gut microbes are poorly understood.
• Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental obesogen, disrupts metabolic functions but its impact on gut microbiota remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of dietary Bisphenol A (BPA) intake on gut microbiota composition and function in mice.
• To test the hypothesis that BPA affects the gut microbial community, contributing to metabolic syndrome.
• To compare BPA's effects with those of high-fat diet (HFD) and high-sucrose diet (HSD).

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of caecum samples from CD-1 mice.
• Comparison of microbial profiles between BPA-fed mice and control groups (HFD, HSD).
• Analysis of species diversity (alpha and beta diversity) and microbial community structure.

Main Results:

• Dietary BPA intake significantly reduced gut microbial species diversity.
• BPA exposure resulted in a gut microbial community structure similar to HFD and HSD.
• Both BPA and HFD promoted Proteobacteria growth, a marker of dysbiosis, and altered specific bacterial populations (Helicobacteraceae, Firmicutes, Clostridia).

Conclusions:

• Dietary BPA intake significantly shifts gut microbial community structure, similar to HFD and HSD.
• BPA exposure induces microbial dysbiosis, characterized by increased Proteobacteria and altered Firmicutes/Clostridia populations.
• These findings reveal microbial markers associated with BPA exposure and the development of diseases linked to an unstable microbiota.