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Intestinal fungal dysbiosis in mice induced by fluoride
1Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, 030801, China.
Abstract:
To explore the effects of fluoride on intestinal fungi in mice, the internal transcriptional spacer (ITS) region in colon feces of mice exposed to 100 mg sodium fluoride (NaF)/L of distilled water for 60 days were sequenced. Results showed that, there were 305 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) unique to the control group, 154 OTUs to the fluoride group, and 295 OTUs were detected in both groups. There was no significant difference in relative species abundance between the two groups at phylum levels. Compared with control group, Ustilaginomycetes class, showed a significant change in fluoride group. At the genus level, Epicoccum, Penicillium, Microdochium, Plectosphaerella and Pluteus were significantly affected by fluoride exposure. Among them, there was a strong positive correlation between Penicillium and Pluteus (+0.43). Therefore, it showed that fluoride can influence the relative species abundance of intestinal fungi in mice, mainly at the genus levels. It can provide some new ideas about the harmful effects of fluorosis on intestinal fungal homeostasis.
Insights
Fluoride exposure significantly altered the abundance of specific intestinal fungi genera in mice, impacting gut fungal homeostasis. This study highlights potential health risks associated with high fluoride intake.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Fluoride is a common environmental contaminant.
- Fluoride exposure can lead to fluorosis, affecting various organs.
- The impact of fluoride on the gut microbiome, particularly fungi, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on the intestinal fungal community in mice.
- To identify specific fungal taxa affected by fluoride exposure.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to 100 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) in distilled water for 60 days.
- Colon fecal samples were analyzed using internal transcriptional spacer (ITS) region sequencing.
- Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified and quantified.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in fungal abundance at the phylum level was observed.
- The class Ustilaginomycetes showed significant changes in the fluoride-exposed group.
- Several fungal genera, including Epicoccum, Penicillium, Microdochium, Plectosphaerella, and Pluteus, were significantly affected by fluoride exposure.
- A strong positive correlation was found between Penicillium and Pluteus.
Conclusions:
- Fluoride exposure influences the relative abundance of intestinal fungi in mice, primarily at the genus level.
- These findings suggest that fluoride can disrupt intestinal fungal homeostasis.
- This research provides insights into the harmful effects of fluorosis on the gut microbiome.
