Effects of alcohol on gut microbiome in adolescent and adult MMTV-Wnt1 mice

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with alcohol consumption recognized as a significant risk factor. While epidemiological studies consistently show a positive correlation between alcohol consumption and increased breast cancer risk, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that the gut microbiome--the diverse collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, residing in the gastrointestinal tract--plays a pivotal role in systemic health and disease. This is achieved through its regulation of key physiological processes such as metabolism, immune function, and inflammatory responses. Disruption of the gut microbiome (dysbiosis) has recently been implicated in the development of breast cancer. We hypothesized that alcohol exposure induces gut dysbiosis, which in turn drives systemic inflammation and carcinogenic processes. Previously, we demonstrated that alcohol exposure promotes mammary tumor growth and aggressiveness in MMTV-Wnt1 (Wnt1) transgenic mice, an established model for investigating mechanisms of alcohol-induced tumor promotion. In this study, we sought to determine whether alcohol exposure induces gut dysbiosis in adolescent and adult Wnt1 transgenic mice and their wild-type FVB counterparts. Our findings revealed that alcohol exposure significantly reduced microbiome richness in adult Wnt1 and FVB mice. Alcohol exposure also markedly altered microbiome composition in adolescents and adults in both strains. Additionally, we identified specific microbial taxa that were significantly affected by alcohol exposure. These results demonstrate that alcohol disrupts the gut microbiome in a preclinical breast cancer model, providing insights into the potential role of gut dysbiosis in alcohol-induced mammary tumor promotion and offering avenues for future research.