Deconjugation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Sulfates to Hydroxylated PCBs by Anaerobically Cultured Mouse and Human Gut Microbiota
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The role of the gut microbiome in metabolizing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxic environmental contaminants, and their metabolites remains unclear. This study used mouse and human microbiomes in anaerobic cultures to investigate the metabolism of PCB sulfate to hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs). All microbiomes enzymatically hydrolyzed PCB sulfates. Higher chlorinated PCB sulfates were metabolized more readily. Male mouse microbiomes exhibited more PCB sulfate hydrolysis to OH-PCBs than female mouse microbiomes. Human microbiomes metabolized PCB sulfates to a more considerable extent than mouse microbiomes. They also showed variability in PCB sulfate metabolism, depending on the microbial communities. These findings suggest that the microbiome contributes to PCB metabolism.
Source: Chemical Research in Toxicology
Authors: Xueshu Li, Joe J. Lim, Cayen Rong, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Julia Yue Cui
Institutions: University of Iowa, University of Washington
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
Awards: G2147469448, G3059432704, G4176026535, G457819564, G4831109269, G5127907004, G5626697056, G563925663, G6839045551, G7032374791, Environmental Pathology/Toxicology Training Program, G8567486657, G9000060683, G9000118403, Iowa Superfund Research Program: Airborne PCBs: Sources, Exposures, Toxicities, Remediation, Environmental factors in pathobiology of dementia: the role of PCB exposure, microbiome, and tissue barrier dysfunction, G9000325323, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, University of Washington Interdisciplinary Center for Exposures, Diseases, Genomics & Environment, Developmental flame retardant exposure, gut microbiome, and obesity, G948811732
OpenAlex ID: W4408821643