Acute high‐dose titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure alters gastrointestinal homeostasis in mice

Abstract

Human exposure to a wide variety of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) is on the rise and use in common food additives increases gastrointestinal (GI) exposure. Host health is intricately linked to the GI microbiome and immune response. Perturbations in the microbiota can affect energy harvest, trigger inflammation and alter the mucosal barrier leading to various disease states such as obesity and inflammatory bowel diseases. We hypothesized that single high‐dose titanium dioxide (TiO2) NP exposure in mice would lead to dysbiosis and stimulate mucus production and local immune populations. Juvenile mice (9‐10 weeks) were gavaged with 1 g/kg TiO2 NPs and examined for changes in mucosa‐associated bacteria abundance, inflammatory cytokines, mucin expression and body mass. Our data provide support that TiO2 NP ingestion alters the GI microbiota and host defenses promoting metabolic disruption and subsequently weight gain in mice.

Common contributing factors to COVID-19 and inflammatory bowel disease

“…IBD: “Our data provide support that TiO2 NP ingestion alters the GI microbiota and host defenses promoting metabolic disruption and subsequently weight gain in mice.” [ 180 ]…”

Biodegradable Antimicrobial Food Packaging: Trends and Perspectives

“…ZnO nanoparticles can pass the stomach and enter in the digestion process in intestine [279] and can induce hyperproliferation of malignant cells [280]. Studies made on mice indicated that TiO 2 nanoparticles alter gastrointestinal homeostasis, induce cytotoxicity and genotoxicity [281][282][283][284][285].…”

Food Additives, a Key Environmental Factor in the Development of IBD through Gut Dysbiosis

“…Increased consumption of TiO 2 NPs can negatively impact the human microbiome [118]. Several studies demonstrated changes in gut microbiota composition with an increase in Firmicutes [119,120]. Some studies in vitro have shown that TiO 2 NPs and their aggregates can damage microvilli structure and alter epithelial integrity [121][122][123].…”

“…Some studies in vitro have shown that TiO 2 NPs and their aggregates can damage microvilli structure and alter epithelial integrity [121][122][123]. Furthermore, TiO 2 NPs stimulate an increase in mucus production [119]. In vivo consumption of TiO 2 can alter the composition and the activity of intestinal bacteria, promote an inflammatory environment in the gut, and aggravate gut barrier impairment and immune responses in animals already affected by diseases such as colitis, IBD, and obesity [115].…”