Dietary Fructooligosaccharides Reduce Mercury Levels in the Brain of Mice Exposed to Methylmercury

Methylmercury (MeHg) exposure during pregnancy is a concern because of its potential health risks to fetuses. Intestinal microbiota has important roles in the decomposition and fecal excretion MeHg. We investigated effect nondigestible saccharides on accumulation Hg after MeHg exposure. Female BALB/cByJ mice were fed basal diet or same supplemented with 5% fructooligosaccharides (FOS) 2.5% glucomannan. Six weeks feeding, administered chloride (4 mg Hg/kg, per os (p.o.)), urine feces collected for 28 d. FOS-fed had lower total levels all tissues (including brain) compared that controls. The glucomannan no tissue levels. No differences concentrations inorganic among groups found. Fecal was markedly higher than controls, but urinary similar. proportion significant increase excretion. Analysis bacterial population showed relative abundance Bacteroides be results suggest FOS enhanced decreased administration, possibly by accelerating demethylation intestinal bacteria (the candidate genus Bacteroides). This also reduces absorption large intestine. In conclusion, daily intake may decrease animals humans exposed