Cadmium, a heavy metal that can linger in the human body for extended periods, has been linked to various types of cancer including kidney, lung, and prostate cancer. It enters the body primarily through the consumption of contaminated fruits and vegetables. In addition to its toxic effects, research has found that cadmium also disrupts the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of microorganisms that influence the function of numerous bodily systems. In light of this, scientists have started exploring the potential of probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, to counteract the harmful effects of cadmium in the gut.
Devin Rose, Jennifer Auchtung, Hollman Motta Romero, and their team at the University of Nebraska took on the task of identifying bacterial species that can withstand cadmium and potentially provide protection to other more vulnerable bacteria. The researchers began by collecting samples of the microbiomes from two healthy adults, named Microbiome A and Microbiome B. These samples were then cultivated in bioreactors and exposed to toxic levels of cadmium.
While the presence of cadmium reduced the diversity of species in Microbiome A, the researchers discovered that a few resilient bacteria managed to survive and flourish even in high concentrations of the toxic metal. Conversely, Microbiome B showed a general decline when exposed to even moderate levels of cadmium, suggesting that the resistance to cadmium may vary among individuals.
The next step for the researchers involved introducing Microbiome B to the cadmium-tolerant species from Microbiome A and subjecting it to the heavy metal once again. Surprisingly, when supplemented with these resilient bacteria, Microbiome B was found to produce higher amounts of butyrate, a crucial fatty acid that is typically depleted by cadmium. This suggests that the cadmium-tolerant species, which do not produce butyrate themselves, might protect their vulnerable counterparts by warding off cadmium toxicity.
While the study highlights the potential of certain bacteria to withstand cadmium and potentially mitigate its harmful effects, the researchers emphasize the need for further experimental evidence to confirm their safety and efficacy. It is also possible that other species may prove to be even more effective candidates for combating cadmium poisoning. Nonetheless, this study is a significant step towards understanding and addressing the impact of cadmium on the gut.
The findings of this research have been published in the journal Chemosphere. It not only offers hope for developing interventions to counteract the toxic effects of cadmium but also provides a methodology for identifying and testing potential candidates. With further research and exploration in this field, it may be possible to develop probiotics or other interventions that can protect against the harmful effects of cadmium and promote gut health.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
