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The Impact of Cyanotoxin Exposure on the Mice Gut Microbiome Communities Structure

Pakuwal, Evance
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5333-5291
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1690565385448528

Abstract Details

2023, MS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) are prevalent in both freshwater and marine environments and are notorious for producing cyanotoxins and forming dense, visible blooms. Specifically, MCs, which are primarily synthesized by Microcystis, Anabaena, and Planktothrix, stand out as cyclic peptides characterized by a unique amino acid, ADDA, that is pivotal for their toxic effects. Despite robust monitoring and mitigation strategies, incidents related to surging MC concentrations occur frequently. Moreover, conventional water treatment facilities might fall short of completely eliminating MCs, potentially leaving traces in drinking water distributed globally. This poses specific public health risks, making the ramifications of cyanotoxin exposure a subject of ongoing research and heightened public health alertness. Gut microbiome, a diverse community of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, is a crucial component of human health. With trillions of bacteria contributing to these processes, it is involved in vital processes like digestion, immunological control, and nutrition synthesis. However, this intricate system could be disturbed, leading to several health issues, especially if disturbed by the exposure to MC-LR exposure. Guided by this idea, the primary aim of this thesis was to dissect the potential dynamics of gut microbiome alterations in mice during MC-LR exposure through drinking water. This thesis aimed to understand the relationship between consumption or exposure to MC-contaminated water and changes in the gut microbiome. The first part of this study focused on short-term (weeks) exposure to low MC concentrations. Here, we hypothesized that even brief MC exposure would cause significant alterations in the gut microbiome community and its structure. However, our short-term study found no significant changes in gut microbiome diversity or community structure after MC-LR exposure. There were changes in the microbial taxa but they did not persist. For the second part of the study, our goal shifted to long-term exposure (months) at low MC concentrations. We hypothesized that MCs would cause significant alterations in microbial community structure, and the taxa-based shifts would persist over time. From the long-term study, it was found that there was possible activation of inflammatory response found in the gut microbiome due to exposure to MC-LR. It was speculated that chronic inflammation, an imbalance in intestinal homeostasis, and disruption of the gut barrier could result from long-term exposure to low doses of microcystin-LR.
Xiaozhen Mou, Dr. (Advisor)
Sangeet Lamichhaney, Dr. (Committee Member)
Wilson Chung, Dr. (Committee Member)
98 p.
Biology; Ecology; Environmental Science; Microbiology
Cyanotoxins, Water Pollution, Gut barrier, Microbiome, Mice model, Gut dysbiosis, Microbiology, 16S rRNA gene

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Pakuwal, E. (2023). The Impact of Cyanotoxin Exposure on the Mice Gut Microbiome Communities Structure [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1690565385448528

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Pakuwal, Evance. The Impact of Cyanotoxin Exposure on the Mice Gut Microbiome Communities Structure. 2023. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1690565385448528.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Pakuwal, Evance. "The Impact of Cyanotoxin Exposure on the Mice Gut Microbiome Communities Structure." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1690565385448528

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1690565385448528
124
© 2023, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License The Impact of Cyanotoxin Exposure on the Mice Gut Microbiome Communities Structure by Evance Pakuwal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.