PAKISTAN VETERINARY JOURNAL

Pak Vet J, xxxx, xx(x) xxx-xxx

Effects of Hexavalent Chromium Exposure on Gut Microbiota and Kidney Metabolism

Lixun Xue^1,2,3,4#, Jinning Wang^1,2,3,4#, Yi Chen^5#, Lingzhi Cui^1,2, Chenchen Fu^1,2, Lulu Wu^1,2, Yali Fang^1,2, Mengxue Bai^1,2, Bingjie Lv^1,2, Aoyun Li^6*and Zhigang Liu^1,2,3,4*

¹Anqing Regional Monitoring and Control Center for Aquatic Animal Diseases in Yangtze River Basin, Anqing 246011, China; ²School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Anqing Normal University, Anqing 246011, China; ³Engineering Technology Research Center for Aquatic Organism Conservation and Water Ecosystem Restoration in University of Anhui Province, Anqing 246011, China; ⁴Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation and Characteristic Resource Utilization in Southwest Anhui, Anqing 246011, China; ⁵Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing 246011, China; ⁶College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China.

*Corresponding author: aoyunli@henau.edu.cn (AL); lzg2881@126.com (ZL)

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a highly oxidized form of chromium that finds extensive application in numerous industrial activities, such as pigment manufacturing and stainless-steel production. Notably, these industrial activities generate waste containing Cr(VI), which could be released into the environment in substantial quantities, subsequently entering the body through drinking water contamination, bioaccumulation in crops, and inhalation. However, research examining the effects of Cr(VI) exposure on gut microbiota and kidney metabolism remains limited. Here, this study employed amplicon sequencing and metabolomics techniques to investigate the impacts of Cr(VI) on gut microbiota and kidney metabolism in rats. Results showed that Cr(VI) exposure could result in gut microbial dysbiosis, characterized by reduced α-diversity and significant alterations in microbial composition. Bacterial taxonomic analysis showed that the relative abundances of 2 phyla and 21 genera increased dramatically, while the relative abundance of 4 phyla and 48 genera decreased significantly during Cr(VI) exposure. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis demonstrated that Cr(VI) exposure induces kidney metabolic disorders, involving significant changes in 553 metabolites and 12 metabolic pathways. In summary, this research suggests that Cr(VI) exposure results in gut microbial dysbiosis and kidney metabolic disorders in rats. Given the increasing severity of the risks associated with the use and leakage of Cr(VI), this study provides crucial evidence regarding its health challenges. Moreover, this study also contributes to raising public awareness regarding the health threats associated with Cr(VI) exposure and establishes a foundation for regulating chromium waste discharge and protecting public health.

To Cite This Article: Xue L, Wang J, Chen Y, Cui L, Fu C, Wu L, Fang Y, Bai M, Lv B, Li A and Liu Z, 2026. Effects of hexavalent chromium exposure on gut microbiota and kidney metabolism. Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2026.094

Abstract

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)