Version 1
: Received: 21 April 2023 / Approved: 23 April 2023 / Online: 23 April 2023 (03:49:49 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 9 September 2023 / Approved: 11 September 2023 / Online: 12 September 2023 (02:53:37 CEST)
Tizabi, Y.; Bennani, S.; El Kouhen, N.; Getachew, B.; Aschner, M. Interaction of Heavy Metal Lead with Gut Microbiota: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules2023, 13, 1549.
Tizabi, Y.; Bennani, S.; El Kouhen, N.; Getachew, B.; Aschner, M. Interaction of Heavy Metal Lead with Gut Microbiota: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules 2023, 13, 1549.
Tizabi, Y.; Bennani, S.; El Kouhen, N.; Getachew, B.; Aschner, M. Interaction of Heavy Metal Lead with Gut Microbiota: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules2023, 13, 1549.
Tizabi, Y.; Bennani, S.; El Kouhen, N.; Getachew, B.; Aschner, M. Interaction of Heavy Metal Lead with Gut Microbiota: Implications for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biomolecules 2023, 13, 1549.
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in social interaction and social communication manifests in early childhood and is followed by significant impairment in social and occupational functions in adolescence and adulthood. Although genetics have been implicated, the exact causes of ASD have yet to be fully characterized. New evidence suggests that dysbiosis or perturbation in gut microbiota (GM) and exposure to lead (Pb) may play important roles in ASD etiology. Pb is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked to a wide range of negative health outcomes including anemia, encephalopathy, gastroenteric diseases and more importantly cognitive and behavioral problems inherent to ASD. Pb exposure can disrupt GM, which is essential for maintaining overall health. GM, consisting of trillions of microorganisms, has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of various physiological and psychological functions. GM interacts with the brain in a bidirectional manner referred to as “Gut-Brain Axis (GBA).” In this review, following a general overview of ASD and GM, the interaction of Pb with GM in the context of ASD is emphasized. Potential exploitation of this interaction for therapeutic purposes is also touched upon.
Keywords
Lead Toxicity; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Microbiota; Gut-Brain Axis; Probiotics.
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Toxicology
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
