Effects of cadmium exposure on intestinal microflora of Cipangopaludina cathayensis

Abstract

As one of the most environmentally toxic heavy metals, cadmium (Cd) has attracted the attention of researchers globally. In particular, Guangxi, a province in southwestern China, has been subjected to severe Cd pollution due to geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities. Cd can be accumulated in aquatic animals and transferred to the human body through the food chain, with potential health risks. The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of waterborne Cd exposure (0.5 mg/L and 1.5 mg/L) on the intestinal microbiota of mudsnail, Cipangopaludina cathayensis, which is favored by farmers and consumers in Guangxi. Gut bacterial community composition was investigated using high-throughput sequencing of the V3–V4 segment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Our results indicated that C. cathayensis could tolerate low Cd (0.5 mg/L) stress, while Cd exposure at high doses (1.5 mg/L) exerted considerable effects on microbiota composition. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the dominant phyla in the mudsnail gut microbiota. The relative abundances of Bacteroidetes increased significantly under high Cd exposure (H14) (p < 0.01), with no significant change in the low Cd exposure (L14) treatment. The dominant genera with significant differences in relative abundance were Pseudomonas, Cloacibacterium, Acinetobacter, Dechloromonas, and Rhodobacter. In addition, Cd exposure could significantly alter the pathways associated with metabolism, cellular processes, environmental information processing, genetic information processing, human diseases, and organismal systems. Notably, compared to the L14 treatment, some disease-related pathways were enriched, while some xenobiotic and organic compound biodegradation and metabolism pathways were significantly inhibited in the H14 group. Overall, Cd exposure profoundly influenced community structure and function of gut microbiota, which may in turn influence C. cathayensis gut homeostasis and health.

Characterization of Gut Microbiome in the Mud Snail Cipangopaludina cathayensis in Response to High-Temperature Stress

“…The pH value and dissolved oxygen level were 7.5 ± 0.5 and 6.0 ± 0.5 mg/L, respectively [ 33 ]. During the acclimation period, specimens were fed with commercial ground fish food (Tongwei, Chengdu, China) once a day at 0.5% of their body weight [ 34 ]. The tank water was partially (30%) replaced every day by adding aerated tap water [ 34 ].…”

A High-Quality Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of a Snail Cipangopaludina cathayensis (Gastropoda: Viviparidae)

“…Genes 2023, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW snail that is widely distributed in paddy fields, lakes, marshes, rivers, streams, and in China [1,7]. The snail is an edible snail [8].…”

“…The mudsnail C. cathayensis, belonging to the family Viviparidae, order Mesogastropoda, subclass Prosobranchia, class Gastropoda, and phylum Mollusca, is a freshwater snail that is widely distributed in paddy fields, lakes, marshes, rivers, streams, and ponds Genes 2023, 14, 1365 2 of 10 in China [1,7]. The snail is an edible snail [8].…”