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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
09:33
An Anaerobic Biosensor Assay for the Detection of Mercury and Cadmium
Published on: December 17, 2018
Cadmium toxicity to the human gut microbiome varies depending on composition
Carmen E Perez-Donado1,2, Sujun Liu1,2, Javier Seravalli3
1Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Cadmium exposure impacts gut microbes differently. Some microbiomes are sensitive, losing beneficial bacteria, while resilient ones maintain function, with Anaerostipes aiding cadmium resilience.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with detrimental effects on the gut microbiota.
- Environmental Cd exposure can disrupt the human intestinal microbial community, impacting digestive and systemic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute cadmium exposure on human fecal microbiotas.
- To identify microbial response categories and features distinguishing cadmium-sensitive from resilient gut microbiomes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 24-hour in vitro cultures of human fecal microbiota from 20 healthy adult donors.
- Employed regression analysis of butyrate production and network analysis to assess microbial responses and interactions under cadmium stress.
- Investigated the role of Anaerostipes by supplementing sensitive microbiotas.
Main Results:
- Identified three microbial response categories: sensitive, intermediate, and resilient.
- Sensitive microbiomes showed decreased butyrate and increased lactate production under cadmium stress, unlike resilient ones.
- Anaerostipes genus differed significantly between sensitive and resilient communities and was key in restoring butyrate production in sensitive microbiomes.
Conclusions:
- Human gut microbiomes exhibit distinct responses to acute cadmium exposure.
- Resilient microbiomes maintain beneficial butyrate production, with Anaerostipes playing a role in cadmium resilience.
- Understanding these microbiome-mediated mechanisms is crucial for mitigating cadmium toxicity and sustaining host health.
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