Air pollution intervention changes the gut microbiome and improves lung symptoms of women in Uganda

Emerging literature suggests air pollution exposure can influence the gut microbiome. We recently demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial that a solar lighting intervention reduced personal exposure to fine particulate matter and black carbon in adult women living in rural Uganda. We assessed respiratory symptoms with the American Thoracic Society respiratory disease questionnaire and collected stool samples from 80 adult women at baseline and at 12 and 18 months post-randomization. Deep metagenomics sequencing was performed and profiled for microbial taxonomic composition and microbial functional potential. We estimated the effect of the solar lighting intervention on gut microbiome profiles. Candidate microbial species within the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla were tested as potential mediators between the clean lighting intervention and respiratory symptoms. The solar lighting intervention reduced personal exposure to air pollution and improved respiratory symptoms. Post-intervention, there was an increase in the absolute abundance of Firmicutes and a decrease in largely gram-negative Proteobacteria.