The intestinal toxicity mechanisms of triclosan and triclocarban and their possible clinical nutritional intervention mechanisms

Triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) are widely used as antimicrobial agents in personal care products. Their widespread use has become a potential environmental contaminant. This review reviews the mechanisms of intestinal toxicity of TCS and TCC and their potential nutritional intervention strategies. TCS and TCC can be metabolized to glucuronic acid conjugates in the host and subsequently uncoupled by microorganisms in the intestine to regenerate free forms of TCS and TCC. TCS and TCC are unique metabolic pathways that lead to accumulation in the gut, altering the structure of intestinal flora, increasing the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, while reducing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, thereby disrupting the balance of intestinal flora. In addition, they can interfere with the self-renewal and differentiation of ISCs, thereby weakening intestinal barrier function. TCS and TCC can also activate the TLR4-NFκB signaling pathway, inducing and exacerbating inflammatory responses. These mechanisms together lead to intestinal toxicity and have a significant negative impact on intestinal health. In order to cope with the intestinal toxicity caused by these mechanisms of action, this paper believes that prebiotics, probiotics, vitamins, minerals and herbal extracts can be used as potential nutritional interventions to reduce the intestinal toxicity of TCS and TCC by regulating intestinal microbiota, enhancing intestinal barrier function and inhibiting inflammatory response. Although preliminary studies have shown the potential benefits of these interventions, their specific efficacy and safety still need further study.