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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Arsenic Through the Gastrointestinal Tract

subject

description

Intestinal barrier function regulates (micro-)nutrient absorption and host defense mechanisms at the mucosal interface with the external environment. Maintaining gut homeostasis is essential for human health; however, many factors including food and water pollutants may affect the physiological balance at the intestinal level. One of the contaminants of highest health concern is arsenic, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide, causing cancer and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Arsenic affects intestinal health by disrupting barrier function and inducing inflammatory responses. Processes involved in the transiting of arsenic through the gastrointestinal tract can affect toxicity. More toxic arsenic species which are ingested may be formed in the intestinal lumen as a result of interaction of arsenic with food components and as a consequence of enterocytes and microbiota metabolism. This biotransformation may modulate arsenic intestinal absorption and its adverse effects. This highlight the need to consider the gastrointestinal tract as a target organ of arsenic and a factor affecting its toxicity and therefore risk assessment.