1
|
Dong X, Han X, Yao S, Su Y, Luo Z, Deng L, Zhang F, Xu J, Zhang L, Li H, Wu W. Combined transcriptome and microbiome analysis reveals the thyrotoxic effects of PM 2.5 in female rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116879. [PMID: 39142117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Pervasive environmental pollutants, specifically particulate matter (PM2.5), possess the potential to disrupt homeostasis of female thyroid hormone (TH). However, the precise mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. In this study, we established a model of PM2.5-induced thyroid damage in female rats through intratracheal instillation and employed histopathological and molecular biological methods to observe the toxic effects of PM2.5 on the thyroid gland. Transcriptome gene analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing were utilized to investigate the impact of PM2.5 exposure on the female rat thyroid gland. Furthermore, based on the PM2.5-induced toxic model in female rats, we evaluated its effects on intestinal microbiota, TH levels, and indicators of thyroid function. The findings revealed that PM2.5 exposure induced histopathological damage to thyroid tissue by disrupting thyroid hormone levels (total T3 [TT3], (P < 0.05); total T4 [TT4], (P < 0.05); and thyrotropin hormone [TSH], (P < 0.05)) and functional indices (urine iodine [UI], P > 0.05), thus further inducing histopathological injuries. Transcriptome analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), primarily concentrated in interleukin 17 (IL-17), forkhead box O (FOXO), and other signaling pathways. Furthermore, exposure to PM2.5 altered the composition and abundance of intestinal microbes. Transcriptome and microbiome analyses demonstrated a correlation between the DEGs within these pathways and the flora present in the intestines. Moreover, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing analysis or DEGs combined with thyroid function analysis revealed that exposure to PM2.5 significantly induced thyroid hormone imbalance. We further identified key DEGs involved in thyroid function-relevant pathways, which were validated using molecular biology methods for clinical applications. In conclusion, the homeostasis of the "gut-thyroid" axis may serve as the underlying mechanism for PM2.5-induced thyrotoxicity in female rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwen Dong
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Xiaofeng Han
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Sanqiao Yao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Yaguang Su
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Zheng Luo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Lvfei Deng
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Fengquan Zhang
- Experimental Teaching Center of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Jie Xu
- Experimental Teaching Center of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Statistical Health Research, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Haibin Li
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| | - Weidong Wu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nadolnik LI, Niatsetskaya ZV, Basinsky VA, Vinogradov VV. Morphological and functional changes in rat thyroid gland after a year following chronic exposure to low and intermediate doses of γ-radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 100:343-352. [PMID: 37934053 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2023.2280012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thyroid function depends on iodine uptake by the body as well as on exposure to various harmful environmental hazards (stress, ionizing radiation). AIM The aim of the work was to assess the effect of exposure to low and intermediate doses of external γ-radiation on the thyroid structure and function in young female rats at remote periods after radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty female rats were used to study remote effects of external γ-radiation exposure during 20 d (at daily doses of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 Gy) on the functional activity (levels of thyroid hormones, iodine metabolism) and the morphological structure of the rat thyroid) after 12 months following the radiation exposure. RESULTS An increase in thyroid mass and a decrease in total thyroid protein concentration along with a reduction of blood T3 and T4 was shown only in rat groups exposed to 0.25 and 0.5 Gy. Both the concentration of total iodine and its protein-bound fraction (1.2-1.4 fold, p < .01) and the protein-bound to total iodine ratio were decreased in the thyroids of all irradiated animals. The 0.1-Gy group showed elevated thyroperoxidase (TPO) activity along with increased catalase activity, which may indicate the activation of iodine oxidation by thyrocytes. Only the 0.5-Gy group demonstrated reduced urinary excretion of iodine (2.1 fold, p < .01).The reduction of thyroid function at radiation doses of 0.25 and 0.5 Gy was characterized by a microfollicular structure and the development of atrophic changes in the parenchyma, desquamation of thyroid epithelium and an increase in epithelium proliferation. The diameter of the thyrocyte nuclei was increased in rats exposed to 0.25 and 0.5 Gy, which indicates functional tension of thyrocytes. CONCLUSION Our research shows that after a year, the exposure to external γ-radiation of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5-Gy caused changes in the structure and function of the rat thyroid which are manifested by the development of hypothyroiditis (0.5 Gy), 'subclinical' hypothyroiditis (0.25 Gy) and functional tension of thyrocytes. The mechanisms of thyroid dysfunction - impaired- uptake of iodine and its organification against the background of activation of free radical processes - suggest disturbances in the function of the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), TPO and thyroglobulin synthesis. In contrast to the intermediate doses, the effects of the 0.1-Gy dose were mostly found at the remote periods compared to the earlier periods (180 days).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliya I Nadolnik
- Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Grodno, Belarus
| | - Zoya V Niatsetskaya
- Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Grodno, Belarus
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Vladimir V Vinogradov
- Institute of Biochemistry of Biologically Active Compounds of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Grodno, Belarus
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fernandes A, Oliveira A, Soares R, Barata P. The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Gut Microbiota: What Can Animal Models Tell Us?-A Systematic Review. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:3877-3910. [PMID: 37232718 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45050249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiota is relatively stable; however, various factors can precipitate an imbalance that is known to be associated with various diseases. We aimed to conduct a systematic literature review of studies reporting the effects of ionizing radiation on the composition, richness, and diversity of the gut microbiota of animals. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases. The standard methodologies expected by Cochrane were utilized. RESULTS We identified 3531 non-duplicated records and selected twenty-nine studies after considering the defined inclusion criteria. The studies were found to be heterogeneous, with significant differences in the chosen populations, methodologies, and outcomes. Overall, we found evidence of an association between ionizing radiation exposure and dysbiosis, with a reduction of microbiota diversity and richness and alterations in the taxonomic composition. Although differences in taxonomic composition varied across studies, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Alistipes, and Akkermancia most consistently reported to be relatively more abundant after ionizing radiation exposure, whereas Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Lactobacillus were relatively reduced. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the effect of ionizing exposure on gut microbiota diversity, richness, and composition. It paves the way for further studies on human subjects regarding gastrointestinal side effects in patients submitted to treatments with ionizing radiation and the development of potential preventive, therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fernandes
- Department Nuclear Medicine, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, E.P.E., 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Oliveira
- Department Nuclear Medicine, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, E.P.E., 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Soares
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Barata
- i3S-Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, 4200-150 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|