Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. 
Divine Aleru is an accomplished biochemist and researcher with a specialized background in environmental toxicology, focusing on the impacts of heavy metals on human health. With deep-rooted expertise in microbiome signatures analysis, Divine seamlessly blends rigorous scientific training with her passion for deciphering the intricate relationships between environmental exposures and the human microbiome. Her career is distinguished by a commitment to advancing integrative health interventions, leveraging cutting-edge microbiome research to illuminate how toxic metals shape biological systems. Driven by curiosity and innovation, Divine is dedicated to translating complex environmental findings into actionable insights that improve individual and public health outcomes. What was issued?
The study on chronic arsenic exposure in chickens uncovers the biological toxicity of arsenic and its impact on the liver-microbiota-gut axis. It provides new insights based on multi-omics technologies, such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, to analyze the effects of arsenic exposure. Chickens were subjected to various doses of sodium arsenite (10, 20, and 30 mg/L) over 42 days, and the results demonstrated severe liver dysfunction, including fibrosis and mitochondrial damage, along with significant alterations in intestinal microbiota. The study identifies arsenic-induced liver-microbiota-gut axis disruption, emphasizing its potential health risks for both poultry and human populations exposed to arsenic-contaminated water.
Who is affected?
This research primarily affects the poultry industry, particularly those involved in farming, breeding, and selling chickens for consumption. As arsenic contamination in water poses a risk to both animal health and the safety of food products, producers need to understand the potential effects of such contamination. Public health bodies, including those focusing on food safety and environmental health, are also impacted, as arsenic exposure can lead to significant health issues, particularly for populations that rely on poultry as a primary food source. Regulatory authorities and researchers focused on environmental pollution and food safety will benefit from these findings as they address arsenic’s long-term implications.
Most important findings
The findings of the study emphasize several key points. Chronic arsenic exposure in chickens leads to severe liver damage, including fibrosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, particularly at higher doses. The study also identifies that arsenic disrupts gut microbiota, significantly reducing beneficial bacteria like Christensenellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Faecalibacterium, which are important for maintaining intestinal health. Additionally, arsenic exposure impairs bile acid metabolism, leading to an accumulation of primary bile acids in the bloodstream, while reducing the levels of secondary bile acids. The disruption of the liver-microbiota-gut axis further exacerbates the damage, as increased intestinal permeability allows harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream, aggravating liver toxicity.
Key implications
For the food industry, these findings suggest the need for stricter monitoring and regulations regarding arsenic levels in poultry and water sources. Poultry producers may need to enhance water treatment systems or source water from safer supplies to reduce arsenic exposure. Public health initiatives may also need to focus on informing consumers about the risks associated with arsenic-contaminated food. Moreover, future regulatory efforts could focus on incorporating microbiota health and gut-liver axis integrity into food safety standards, as these are pivotal in preventing chronic diseases. These findings could also inspire future research into alternative methods for mitigating arsenic exposure in poultry farming.
Citation
Li, J., Guo, C., Liu, Y., et al. (2025). Chronic arsenic exposure-provoked biotoxicity involved in liver-microbiota-gut axis disruption in chickens based on multi-omics technologies. Journal of Advanced Research, 67(373-386). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2024.01.019
Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that ranks first on the ATSDR toxic substances list. Inorganic arsenic contaminates water, rice and consumer products, and exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive deficits, low birth weight and cancer. HMTC’s stringent certification applies ALARA principles to protect vulnerable populations.
