Gut microbes could offer protection from toxic 'forever chemicals': Study
Share this @internewscast.com

(The Hill) — Certain types of microbes found in the human gut can absorb toxic “forever chemicals” from their surroundings, a new study has found.

When researchers introduced the microbes into the intestines of mice to “humanize” their microbiome, they observed that the bacteria quickly gathered the substances ingested by the mice.

These so-called forever chemicals, also referred to as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), were subsequently expelled in the feces, as outlined in the study published on Tuesday in Nature Microbiology.

“Considering the widespread issue of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’, especially their impact on human health, it’s alarming that there is minimal action being taken to eliminate these from our bodies,” stated senior author Kiran Patil, head of the toxicology unit at the University of Cambridge’s Medical Research Council, in a statement.

Notorious for their inability to break down in the environment, PFAS are linked to several kinds of cancers and other serious illnesses. There are thousands of types of PFAS, all of which are man-made and many of which are present in household items, such as nonstick pans, waterproof apparel and cosmetics.

“We found that certain species of human gut bacteria have a remarkably high capacity to soak up PFAS from their environment at a range of concentrations, and store these in clumps inside their cells,” Patil said. 

“Due to aggregation of PFAS in these clumps, the bacteria themselves seem protected from the toxic effects,” he added.

To draw their conclusions, the researchers assessed the ability of two mixtures of human bacterial strains to sequester pollutant compounds — testing 42 common contaminants based on their reported occurrences in food.

They found that a total of 13 pollutants were depleted by more than 20 percent by one or both synthetic communities.

The scientists then tested 10 contaminants for depletion against 14 individual strains, which were a subset selected for their prevalence and abundance in a healthy population. In that test, they found that seven pollutants were depleted by more than 20 percent by at least one of the bacterial strains.

Among the pollutants degraded by the gut bacteria were PFOA and PFNA, two types of PFAS, the authors determined. PFOA and PFNA bioaccumulated in nine strains of bacteria, doing so at rates between 25 and 74 percent for PFNA and between 23 and 58 percent for PFOA.

Although the scientists identified the ability of the bacteria to uptake these forms of PFAS, they acknowledged that they have yet to pinpoint the mechanism by which the bacteria take up the contaminants.

But by uncovering microbial PFAS bioaccumulation, they expressed hope that their findings would provide a framework for future such investigations into the relationships between PFAS and the microbiome.

“The reality is that PFAS are already in the environment and in our bodies, and we need to try and mitigate their impact on our health now,” co-author Indra Roux, a researcher in the Toxicology Unit, said in a statement.

“We haven’t found a way to destroy PFAS, but our findings open the possibility of developing ways to get them out of our bodies where they do the most harm,” Roux added.

Building off their research, Patil and co-author Anna Lindell co-founded a startup, Cambiotics, to develop probiotics that remove PFAS from the body. They are investigating ways of turbo-charging the performance of these microbes, with the support of the University of Cambridge’s innovation arm.

“PFAS were once considered safe, but it’s now clear that they’re not,” Lindell said. “It’s taken a long time for PFAS to become noticed because at low levels they’re not acutely toxic. But they’re like a slow poison.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Idaho firefighter shooter Wess Roley had 'Nazi tendencies,' ex classmates say

Former classmates claim Idaho firefighter shooter Wess Roley exhibited ‘Nazi tendencies’

Idaho firefighter murderer Wess Roley was known to have “Nazi tendencies” and…
Bystanders rescuing a teen from a shark attack.

Terrifying Video Captures Shark Pursuing 16-Year-Old Boy, Who Escapes Water with Severely Injured Arm After Attack

THIS is the unbelievable moment a shark chased a teen as he…
Photo of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, and Bethany Funke.

Sister of Idaho Victim Pens Heartfelt Open Letter Criticizing Bryan Kohberger’s Last-Minute Plea Deal and Urges Trial

THE SISTER of one of the victims of the Idaho murders has…
Frustrated woman argues for more childfree businesses
A woman’s take on why more parents should leave their kids at…
Rob McElhenney shortens name to Rob Mac: 'Purely practical'

Rob McElhenney Shortens Name to Rob Mac for Practical Reasons

“The amount of time that I have wasted trying to get people…
Graphic video footage of a Ukrainian prisoner of war being dragged along a road.

Disturbing Footage Reveals Putin’s Forces Dragging Bound Ukrainian Prisoner to Death Behind Motorbike

SICKENING footage of a Ukrainian prisoner being dragged across a road to…
Travel nightmare unfolds as storm system grounds East Coast flights ahead of July 4

Chaos hits travelers as East Coast flights are halted due to storm just before July 4

Flights nationwide came to a halt on Tuesday due to anticipated severe…
Chicago shooting suspect Charles Leto, a lifeguard, due in court for Douglass Park incident that killed Marjay Dotson, hurt cousin

Chicago Shooter and Lifeguard Charles Leto to Appear in Court for Douglass Park Incident Resulting in the Death of Marjay Dotson and Injury to His Cousin

CHICAGO (WLS) — The suspected gunman in a deadly Douglass Park shooting…
Inside Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce's 'wonderful' lunch date near his hometown

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Enjoy a Delightful Lunch Date Near His Hometown

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift going out near his Ohio hometown hits…

Speculation Grows About Girl’s Scary Fall from Disney Cruise Ship and Her Heroic Dad’s Rescue Dive

RUMORS and theories continue to swirl regarding how a little girl went…
LA officials charge over 40 anti-ICE protesters who allegedly assaulted officers, horses and threatened child

Over 40 Anti-ICE Protesters Charged by LA Officials for Alleged Assaults and Threats

Los Angeles officials reported on Tuesday that more than 40 individuals now…
Overgrown yard with a trampoline and stacks of bricks.

Father Claims He Built a ‘Bunker’ at Home to Protect His Silent Children, Aged 6 and 9, Found in Woods

THE FATHER of the “ghost children” who were discovered living in the…