Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

8-2023

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Pharmacology and Toxicology

Degree Program

Pharmacology and Toxicology, MS

Committee Chair

Cave, Matthew C.

Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)

Wahlang, Banrida

Committee Member

Wahlang, Banrida

Committee Member

Kouokam, J. Calvin

Committee Member

Clark, Barbara J.

Committee Member

O’Toole, Timothy

Committee Member

Banerjee, Mayukh

Author's Keywords

Gut-liver axis; PCBs; microplastics; polystyrene; liver; microbiome

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics are environmental pollutants associated with various diseases including toxicant associated fatty liver disease (TAFLD). Previously, exposure to Aroclor 1260 (a PCB mixture) has been shown to exacerbate TAFLD, partly through Aroclor 1260 induced gut dysbiosis. Studies has also demonstrated that PS exposure alters gut microbiome composition and induced obesity. However, the effects of Aroclor 1260 on the gut and the effects of PS on the liver are still understudied. Therefore, we hypothesize that environmental pollutants will disrupt the gut-liver axis through changes in gut and its microbiome as well as changes in liver functions. Our findings indicated that chronic Aroclor 1260 exposure could increase microbial activity and compromise gut barrier functions. While our findings on PS indicated a size-dependent effect on hepatic metabolic gene expression as well as the enrichment of hepatic receptor such as FXR and LXR receptors, involved in the regulation of metabolic pathways within the gut-liver axis. In conclusion, our findings showed minor changes in the gut and the liver by both Aroclor 1260 and PS, respectively. However, further studies are needed to understand the effects of these compounds on the gut-liver axis.

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