Inhibitory effect of arsenic on aerobic gut flora in rat

Abstract

An in vivo study was carried on rats to see the influence of arsenic on aerobic gut flora. A significant inhibition of gut flora was observed after 2 weeks of administration of arsenic (1 mg/L) ad libitum with a decrease in stool arsenic level and increase in liver arsenic level. However, this inhibitory effect of arsenic on gut flora was not observed in presence of vitamin E (1 mg/day) or selenium (0.4 µg/day). Pretreatment with streptomycin (500 mg twice daily) showed similar results. Rats that received folic acid (200 µg/day) showed inhibition of gut floral count but there were decreased liver arsenic level.

Variation in response to selenium folic acid and vitamin E in arsenic exposed aerobic flora in rats

“…When exposed to high concentrations of arsenic for a considerable period of time arsenic might exert inhibitory effect on gut flora as is observed by a decrease in gut floral count 16,8 . In this study rats administered with only arsenic a significant decrease in gut bacterial count and stool arsenic level and increase in liver arsenic was observed.…”

“…Ingested arsenic is removed from the body by a process of methylation in liver and also by bacteria in gastrointestinal tract 8 . Hepatic methylation of arsenic is considered to be toxic due to formation of DMA-III and MMA-III 7 .…”

“…Hepatic methylation of arsenic is considered to be toxic due to formation of DMA-III and MMA-III 7 . Bacterial excretion of arsenic though safe, studies suggest that bacteria exposed to arsenic for prolonged period in high concentration (1 mg/L), arsenic exerts an inhibitory effect on them 8 . Enviormental and nutritional factors play …”

Vitamin E levels in buccal cells of arsenicosis patients following vitamin E supplementation

“…One hypothesis is that the absorption of anti-oxidant as supplement may be better than from anti-oxidant rich diet. Gut bacteria may play a role in the absorption of arsenic (de Wiele et al, 2010;Choudhry et al, 2009). …”

Extracellular matrix proteins and the liver-lung axis in disease.

“…Obesity can affect gut permeability by decreasing the barrier function of the epithelium (78). Additionally, both obesity and arsenic have been shown to alter gut flora (121). Interestingly, probiotics, live bacteria cultures which promote commensal bacteria growth, can preserve intestinal barrier integrity and protect against liver injury in animals (81,122).…”