The impact of environmental toxins on the animal gut microbiome and their potential to contribute to disease

Abstract

Environmental toxins have the potential to disrupt the animal gut microbiome (AGM), which can lead to various gut-associated diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. In this review, we provide an overview of environmental toxins, their sources, and exposure routes. We also discuss the importance of AGM in maintaining human health and the effects of environmental toxins on AGM, including dysbiosis, alterations in diversity, and microbial metabolism. We present evidence linking environmental toxins exposure to gut-associated diseases and mechanisms by which environmental toxins affect AGM. We also highlight factors that influence the effects of environmental toxins on AGM, such as dose, duration, and individual susceptibility. Finally, we discuss strategies to mitigate the effects of environmental toxins on AGM, including prebiotics, probiotics, and dietary interventions, as well as regulatory aspects of environmental toxins, including safety thresholds, exposure limits, and risk assessment. We conclude by discussing future research directions and the potential for personalized approaches, targeted detoxification, and ecological restoration of AGM to prevent and treat gut-associated diseases.

Keywords

• Environmental toxins
• AGM
• IBD
• Colorectal cancer
• Prebiotics and probiotics