Acute lead exposure modulates gut microbiota and butyrate production in rats

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has been deposited in the environment due to anthropogenic actions, affecting food safety and causing damage to human health. Exposure to this metal through contaminated water and food can harm the gut microbiota, resulting in dysbiosis and altering the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate. Butyrate produced by the gut microbiota serves as an energy source for colonocytes and aids in intestinal mucosa`s immunity and barrier function. Considering that the microbiota plays an important role in the host’s health, the need to evaluate the effects of acute exposure to this metal is evident.