Effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids in mice

Radon (Rn-222) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Forty percent of the natural radiation to which the human body is exposed comes from radon gas. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of radon induces systemic damage. However, the effect of such exposure on gut microbiota still remains unclear. We explored the effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in BALB/c mice by cu-mulative inhalation of radon at 30, 60, and 120 working level months (WLM). The radon-exposed mice showed slow body weight gain, decreased serum triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, decreased diversity, lower community structure, and altered abundance of the gut microbiota. Lachnospiraceae, Amaricoccus, and Entero-coccus could differentiate the IR30, 60, and 120 WLM groups, respectively. Meanwhile, radon exposure affected the metabolic functions of the gut microbiota, mainly carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolic pathways. The altered abundance of microbiota and resulting reduced levels of SCFAs may aggravate the damage caused by radon exposure.

Automated summary

This study explored the effects of radon exposure on gut microbiota and its metabolites (SCFAs) in BALB/c mice. The results showed that radon-exposed mice had slower body weight gain, decreased serum triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins, decreased diversity and altered abundance of gut microbiota. Radon exposure also affected the metabolic functions of gut microbiota, mainly carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolic pathways. The altered abundance of microbiota and resulting reduced levels of SCFAs may aggravate the damage caused by radon exposure.