Exposure to Multiple Chemicals and Oxidative Stress in Northern Laos Residents: Investigating the Modifying Role of Gut Microbiota

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21108
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Mizuno Yuki 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 助教 (10967813)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 化学物質 / 複合曝露 / 酸化ストレス / 腸内細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A study investigated the relationship between environmental chemical exposure and oxidative stress among residents living in marginalized areas of Laos, a developing country in Southeast Asia. The study evaluated chemical exposure (primarily trace elements), oxidative stress, and gut microbiota using biomarkers and examined their associations. The results suggest that exposure to toxic trace elements, such as arsenic and cadmium, increases oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation. However, the findings also indicate that selenium may mitigate this effect. Furthermore, the study suggests that the gut microbiota might function as a modifying factor in the relationship between trace element exposure and oxidative stress.

Free Research Field

環境疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって，ラオス北部住民における環境化学物質への曝露とその健康影響を明らかにするための重要な知見が得られた．特に，有害微量元素への曝露は酸化ストレスを増大する一方で，セレンの摂取はその酸化ストレスの増大を抑制する可能性が示唆された．以上の発見から，ラオス北部住民において非感染性疾患の基盤として重要な酸化ストレスの個人差の決定要因の1つとして，環境由来の微量元素への曝露・摂取の重要性が示唆され，途上国で増加する非感染性疾患のリスクを決定する環境要因の解明に寄与する知見が得られたと考える．