Urinary Lead Concentration and Its Association with the Composition of the Adult Gut Microbiota

摘要

Imbalance of the gut microbiota has been linked to many adverse health outcomes including infection, and autoimmune disease. Along with its other detrimental health effects, lead (Pb) exposure may alter the composition of the gut microbiota, but this association has not been investigated in adults. This study examines the association between urinary Pb concentration and the composition of the adult gut microbiota in a non-clinical sample. Data are from the 2016 Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and its ancillary microbiome study. SHOW is a general population-based health survey of Wisconsin residents, collecting survey data on health determinants and outcomes, objective measurements of body habitus, and biological specimens including urine. The ancillary microbiome study collects additional survey data and biological specimens, including stool for microbiota analysis, from participants age 18+. Pb exposure was measured in urine and gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S rRNA V4 region amplicon sequencing. Statistical analysis includes a and (3 diversity metrics, multiple linear regression and PERMANOVA adjusted for relevant confounders, and SIMPER analysis. Of 467 participants, urinary Pb concentration was highest in those age 70+, those with a high school diploma or less, and current smokers. Creatinine adjusted log urinary Pb concentration was associated with a significant decrease in a-diversity (Shannon p= 0.026, Inverse-Simpson p= 0.051) but not richness, although interactions with age, gender, diet components and smoking status were significant. B;-diversity was significantly different between participants in quartile 4 vs. 1 of urinary Pb (Jaccard p=0.049), however no operational taxonomic units were significantly different between groups after correction for multiple comparisons. These novel results suggest that Pb exposure is associated with differences in the composition of the adult gut microbiota in a community-based human population.