Integrating Transcriptomics and Proteomics to Characterize the Intestinal Responses to Cadmium Exposure Using a...

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal element with a wide range of hazards and severe biotoxicity. Since Cd can be easily accumulated in the edible parts of plants, the exposure of humans to Cd is mainly through the intake of Cd-contaminated food. However, the intestinal responses to Cd exposure are not completely characterized. Herein, we simulated laboratory and environmental Cd exposure by feeding the piglets with CdCl₂-added rice and Cd-contaminated rice (Cdcr) contained diet, as piglets show anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Subsequent analysis of the metal element concentrations showed that exposure to the two types of Cd significantly increased Cd levels in piglets. After verifying the expression of major Cd transporters by Western blots, multi-omics further expanded the possible transporters of Cd and found Cd exposure causes wide alterations in the metabolism of piglets. Of significance, CdCl₂ and Cdcr exhibited different body distribution and metabolic rewiring, and Cdcr had stronger carcinogenic and diabetes-inducing potential. Together, our results indicate that CdCl₂ had a significant difference compared with Cdcr, which has important implications for a more intense study of Cd toxicity.