Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40484186›Full record

ArticleToxicology letters2025

Investigating zinc's role in mitigating blood lead levels' toxicity on gut microbiota diversity: NHANES 2007-2010.

Kathyrn R Ayres, Juan P Liuzzi, Freeman C Lewis, Huda M Mobarki

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Toxicology letters, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Kathyrn R AyresDepartment of Dietetic and Nutrition, Rober Stemples College of Public health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC5, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: kayre002@fiu.edu.
Juan P LiuzziDepartment of Dietetic and Nutrition, Rober Stemples College of Public health and Social Work, Florida International University, AHC5/325, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC5, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: jliuzzi@fiu.edu.
Freeman C LewisDepartment of Environmental Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC5, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: flewi017@fiu.edu.
Huda M MobarkiDepartment of Dietetics and Nutrition, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, AHC5, Miami, FL 33199, USA. Electronic address: hmoba003@fiu.edu.

Funding

Training in Environmental NeuroscienceT32ES033955 · NIEHS · FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY · PI Timothy Alexander Allen, Roberto G Lucchini · 2023 to 2026
$1.1M
NIEHS NIH HHS T32 ES033955
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionZinc serves as a cofactor for numerous vital processes across species. Microorganisms that make up the gut microbiome rely on these zinc-dependent mechanisms to perform essential functions, contributing to a diverse and stable microbial environment. Environmental contaminants, such as lead, has been shown to disrupt diversity and stability. The purpose of this study was to determine whether zinc serves as an effect modifier against elevated blood lead levels (BLL) on gut microbiota diversity.

methodsThe 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 NHANES datasets were utilized to conduct a cross-sectional complex survey analysis aimed at determining whether zinc intake acts as a protective factor against changes in microbiome diversity associated with BLL, using enterolactone (ENL) as a biomarker. A multiple linear regression was conducted to evaluate whether an interaction between BLL and zinc intake could predict ENL. The model included fiber intake and BMI as covariates.

resultsBMI and fiber intake were identified as covariates. Fiber intake was a confounding variable in the relationship between zinc and ENL levels. Lead was found to decrease ENL levels (p = 0.002). The interaction between zinc and BLL was marginally significant (p = 0.089).

conclusionThis study suggests that lead's impact on gut microbial diversity may depend on zinc status. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for dietary confounders, such as fiber intake, to improve model accuracy and interpretation. While additional research is needed to confirm zinc's potential protective role, public health strategies encouraging adequate zinc and fiber intake may in part help support microbial resilience and reduce lead's effects on the gut microbiota.

Indexed as

Gastrointestinal MicrobiomeLeadLead PoisoningZinc4-ButyrolactoneAdultBiomarkersCross-Sectional StudiesDietary FiberFemaleHumansLignansMaleMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysUnited States2,3-bis(3'-hydroxybenzyl)butyrolactone4-ButyrolactoneBiomarkersDietary FiberLeadLignansZincBlood lead levelsEnterolactoneMicrobiomeNHANESZinc intake

Identifiers

PMID40484186
PMCPMC13051449

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.