Integrated analysis of faecal microbial diversity and serum metabolome reveals the profiling of gut microbiota-related metabolites in rats and mice prolonged exposure to environmental high humidity

ABSTRACT:

Background: High humidity, as a key climate risk factor, has become one of the significant threats to public health. However, less is known about the mechanism by which the high humidity environment affects the health of the population. The present study was designed to reveal the profile of gut microbiota-related metabolites in rats and mice prolonged exposure to high humidity environment. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice were housed under standard conditions or prolonged exposure to high humidity environment for 7, 14 and 28 days, respectively. Integrated analysis of fecal microbial diversity and serum metabolome were performed by using 16S rRNA sequencing and nontargeted metabolomics with LC-MS/MS. Results: High humidity exposure led to significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and serum metabolic profiles in both rats and mouse models. Our results revealed that disorders in glycerophospholipid metabolism, ABC transporters, and Phenylalanine metabolism as key metabolic characteristics of hyperhumidity exposure. In addition, multi-omics correlation analysis identified the key gut microbiota-related metabolites, including Phosphocholine, Choline, LPC, Taurine, L-Valine, L-Proline, 2-Hydroxycinnamic acid, Phenylacetaldehyde, P-Salicylic acid and PC, which contributed to the pathogenic effect of high humidity. Conclusions: The present study revealed that high humidity exposure disrupts the host's metabolic homeostasis by altering the gut microbiota-related metabolites in rats and mouse models, showing commonalities and specificities.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse phase

PROVIDER: MTBLS5653 | MetaboLights | 2026-06-16

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights