The acidified drinking water-induced changes in the behavior and gut microbiota of wild-type mice depend on the acidification mode

Abstract

Acidification of drinking water to a pH between 2.5 and 3.0 is widely used to prevent the spread of bacterial diseases in animal colonies. Besides hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is also used to acidify drinking water. Here we examined the effects of H2SO4-acidified drinking water (pH = 2.8) received from weaning (postnatal day 21) on the behavior and gut microflora of 129S6/SvEv mice, a mouse strain commonly used in transgenic studies. In contrast to HCl-acidified water, H2SO4-acidified water only temporarily impaired the pole-descending ability of mice (at 3 months of age), and did not change the performance in an accelerating rotarod test. As compared to 129S6/SvEv mice receiving non-acidified or HCl-acidified drinking water, the gut microbiota of 129S6/SvEv mice on H2SO4-acidified water displayed significant alterations at every taxonomic level especially at 6 months of age. Our results demonstrate that the effects of acidified drinking water on the behavior and gut microbiota of 129S6/SvEv mice depends on the acid used for acidification. To shed some light on how acidified drinking water affects the physiology of 129S6/SvEv mice, we analyzed the serum and fecal metabolomes and found remarkable, acidified water-induced alterations.

The Long-Acting Echinocandin, Rezafungin, Prevents Pneumocystis Pneumonia and Eliminates Pneumocystis from the Lungs in Prophylaxis and Murine Treatment Models

“…To safeguard against environmental exposure of P. murina and other microbes, mice were housed under barrier conditions with autoclaved food; acidified water (sulfuric acid 1 mL/L) and bedding sterilized in shoebox cages equipped with sterile microfilter lids. Pathogenic bacteria cannot grow in acidified water (pH between 2.5 and 3.0) and many research institutes and universities, as well as The Jackson Laboratory, use acidified water for their mice [ 31 ]. Access was limited to animal care and technical personnel who are required to wear sterile caps, gowns, gloves, and booties while in the animal rooms.…”

“…Pathogenic bacteria cannot grow in acidified water (pH between 2.5 and 3.0) and many research institutes and universities, as well as The Jackson Laboratory, use acidified water for their mice [31]. Access was limited to animal care and technical personnel who are required to wear sterile caps, gowns, gloves, and booties while in the animal rooms.…”

Association between water source and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in Chinese: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study

“…The mechanisms underlying the association between contaminated water and gastrointestinal disease may include: a. a potential association between the content and ratios of micro-elements in contaminated water for consumption (such as chlorides, nitrates, phosphates, chlorates, sulfates, free chlorine, sodium, magnesium, potassium) and the presence of Helicobacter pylori, thus resulting in peptic ulcer ( 30 ); b. more heavy metals in consumed water may increase inflammation or immune responses in gastrointestinal micro-environments ( 16 , 31 ); c. drinking water quality is closed associated with the gut microbiota composition, thus affecting gastrointestinal health and function ( 32 ). The possible reason why tap water decreases the risk of CGD might be due to the lower content of ionic and organic microelements, heavy metals, bacteria, chemicals, and microorganisms, owing to the treatment processes of coagulation, precipitation, filtration, and disinfection (using perfluoroalkyl substances), according to the household consumption water standard in China ( 16 , 33 , 34 ) and the World Health Organization ( 35 ).…”

Serum metabolomic analysis reveals key metabolites in drug treatment of central precocious puberty in female children

“…Palmitic amide is a primary fatty acid amide derived from palmitic acid (C16:0) (Whipple et al, 2021). Its plasma levels have been reported to increase with increasing age among patients who are overweight 2 (Guo et al, 2021).…”