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Tan Y, Chen S, Wang M, Fu H, Alvarez PJJ, Qu X. Intrinsic Peroxidase-like Activity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Mediates Oxidative Stress. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39172699 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics represent a global environmental concern due to their ubiquitous presence and potential adverse impacts on public and environmental health. There is a growing need to advance the mechanistic understanding of their reactivity as they interact with biological and environmental systems. Herein, for the first time, we report that polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) have intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and are able to mediate oxidative stress. The peroxidase-like activity is dependent on temperature and pH, with a maximum at pH 4.5 and 40 °C. The catalytic activity exhibits saturation kinetics, as described by the Michaelis-Menten model. The peroxidase-like activity of PSNPs is attributed to their ability to mediate electron transfer from peroxidase substrates to H2O2. Ozone-induced PSNP aging can introduce oxygen-containing groups and disrupt aromatic structures on the nanoplastic surface. While ozonation initially enhances peroxidase-like activity by increasing oxygen-containing groups without degrading many aromatic structures, extended ozonation destroys aromatic structures, significantly reducing this activity. The peroxidase-like activity of PSNPs can mediate oxidative stress, which is generally positively correlated with their aromatic structures, as suggested by the ascorbic acid assay. These results help explain the reported oxidative stress exerted by nanoplastics and provide novel insights into their environmental and public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Siyue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Mengjiao Wang
- Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Bioscience, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4RN, United Kingdom
| | - Heyun Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Pedro J J Alvarez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, United States
| | - Xiaolei Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210023, China
- Nanjing University (Suzhou) High-tech Institute, Suzhou 215123, China
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2
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Zhang Q, Li S, Fang J, Hao Y, Lu J, Zhang L, Zhang M, Zhang L, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Du H, Gao Y, Yang Z, Sun W, Yan L, Pan G. The combined effects of polystyrene of different sizes and cadmium in mouse kidney tissues. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 281:116660. [PMID: 38944012 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Environmental accumulation of nano- and microplastics pose serious risks to human health. Polystyrene (PS) is a polymer commonly used in the production of plastics. However, PS can adsorb cadmium (Cd), thereby influencing bioavailability and toxicity in vivo. Moreover, PS and Cd can accumulate in the mammalian kidney. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of combined exposure to PS and Cd in the kidney. Kidney damage was evaluated in male mice gavaged with PS (diameter, 100 nm and/or 1 μm) and Cd for 25 days.The results showed that PS at 100 nm caused more severe oxidative damage and cell apoptosis than PS at 1 μm. Combined exposure to PS at both 100 nm and 1 μm caused more severe kidney damage than the single administration groups. The extent of kidney toxicity caused by Cd differed with the combination of PS particles at 100 nm vs. 1 μm. The degree of damage to kidney function, pathological changes, and cell apoptosis induced by Cd+100 nm PS+1μm PS was the most severe. An increase in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and overexpression of p53 and caspase-3 revealed that renal cell apoptosis might be induced via the mitochondrial pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the size of PS particles dictates the combined effects of PS and Cd in kidney tissues. Kidney damage caused by the combination of different sizes of PS particle and Cd is more complicated under actual environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuting Li
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Fang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Hao
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Junge Lu
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Minmin Zhang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihe Wang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongying Du
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuosen Yang
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Institute of Chronic Diseases, Liaoning Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenyang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Sun
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China; Institute of Preventive Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lingjun Yan
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China.
| | - Guowei Pan
- Research Center for Universal Health, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China; Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Early Warning and Intervention Technology and Countermeasure Research for Major Public Health Events, People's Republic of China; Institute of Preventive Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, People's Republic of China.
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Wen Y, Deng S, Wang B, Zhang F, Luo T, Kuang H, Kuang X, Yuan Y, Huang J, Zhang D. Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces hepatotoxicity involving NRF2-NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116439. [PMID: 38728945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastic contamination has been of intense concern by virtue of the potential threat to human and ecosystem health. Animal experiments have indicated that exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) can deposit in the liver and contribute to hepatic injury. To explore the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity induced by polystyrene-NPs (PS-NPs), mice and AML-12 hepatocytes were exposed to different dosages of 20 nm PS-NPs in this study. The results illustrated that in vitro and in vivo exposure to PS-NPs triggered excessive production of reactive oxygen species and repressed nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2) antioxidant pathway and its downstream antioxidase expression, thus leading to hepatic oxidative stress. Moreover, PS-NPs elevated the levels of NLRP3, IL-1β and caspase-1 expression, along with an activation of NF-κB, suggesting that PS-NPs induced hepatocellular inflammatory injury. Nevertheless, the activaton of NRF2 signaling by tert-butylhydroquinone mitigated PS-NPs-caused oxidative stress and inflammation, and inbihited NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression. Conversely, the rescuing effect of NRF2 signal activation was dramatically supressed by treatment with NRF2 inhibitor brusatol. In summary, our results demonstrated that NRF2-NLRP3 pathway is involved in PS-NPs-aroused hepatotoxicity, and the activation of NRF2 signaling can protect against PS-NPs-evoked liver injury. These results provide novel insights into the hepatotoxicity elicited by NPs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqian Wen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Shiyi Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Binhui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Haibin Kuang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Xiaodong Kuang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Yangyang Yuan
- Clinical Medical Experimental Center of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Clinical Medical Experimental Center of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Dalei Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Disease Prevention and Public Health, Nanchang 330006, China.
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4
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Kaur M, Sharma A, Bhatnagar P. Vertebrate response to microplastics, nanoplastics and co-exposed contaminants: Assessing accumulation, toxicity, behaviour, physiology, and molecular changes. Toxicol Lett 2024; 396:48-69. [PMID: 38677566 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2024.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Pollution from microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has gained significant public attention and has become a serious environmental problem worldwide. This review critically investigates MPs/NPs' ability to pass through biological barriers in vertebrate models and accumulate in various organs, including the brain. After accumulation, these particles can alter individuals' behaviour and exhibit toxic effects by inducing oxidative stress or eliciting an inflammatory response. One major concern is the possibility of transgenerational harm, in which toxic consequences are displayed in offspring who are not directly exposed to MPs/NPs. Due to their large and marked surface hydrophobicity, these particles can easily absorb and concentrate various environmental pollutants, which may increase their toxicity to individuals and subsequent generations. This review systematically provides an analysis of recent studies related to the toxic effects of MPs/NPs, highlighting the intricate interplay between co-contaminants in vitro and in vivo. We further delve into mechanisms of MPs/NPs-induced toxicity and provide an overview of potential therapeutic approaches to lessen the negative effects of these MPs/NPs. The review also emphasizes the urgency of future studies to examine the long-term effects of chronic exposure to MPs/NPs and their size- and type-specific hazardous dynamics, and devising approaches to safeguard the affected organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjyot Kaur
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Anju Sharma
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Pradeep Bhatnagar
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Chen J, Qi R, Cheng Y, Wang L, Cao X. Effects of micro/nanoplastics on oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice: a meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:197. [PMID: 38696118 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01972-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/17/2024]
Abstract
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging as environmental pollutants with potential threats to human health. The accumulation of MNPs in the body can cause oxidative stress and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). With the aim to systematically evaluate the extent of MNPs-induced oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice, a total of 36 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis study. The results reported that MNPs can significantly increase the levels of oxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05), and resulted in notable increase in serum biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.05). Conversely, MNPs significantly reduced levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that smaller MNPs with oral administration and prolonged treatment, were associated with more pronounced oxidative stress and enhanced serum biochemical parameters alteration. In addition, after affected by MNPs, the levels of ALT and AST in liver group (SMD = 2.26, 95% CI = [1.59, 2.94] and SMD = 3.10, 95% CI = [1.25, 4.94]) were higher than those in other organs. These comprehensive results provide a scientific foundation for devising strategies to prevent MNPs-induced damage, contributing to solution of this environmental and health challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junliang Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Chongshan Road 66, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruiquan Qi
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Chongshan Road 66, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Chongshan Road 66, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Chongshan Road 66, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Cao
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Science, Liaoning University, Chongshan Road 66, Shenyang, 110036, People's Republic of China.
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Xue J, Xu Z, Hu X, Lu Y, Zhao Y, Zhang H. Microplastics in maternal amniotic fluid and their associations with gestational age. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:171044. [PMID: 38382607 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is a growing global concern due to its potential threat to human health, particularly concerning fetal health. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the sources of fetal MPs exposure and its impact on fetal development. In this study, MPs levels in maternal amniotic fluid (AF) and their associations with measures of fetal growth were investigated. Specifically, 40 human AF samples were collected to determine the presence and characteristics of MPs using laser direct infrared (LD-IR) spectroscopy. MPs were found in 32 out of 40 AF samples, with an average abundance of 2.01 ± 4.19 particles/g. Polyethylene (PE, 38.80 %) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE, 26.98 %) were the most prevalent polymers. The majority of MPs (87.56 %) were 20-100 μm in size, and fragments (71.23 %) evidently prevailed in morphology. Additionally, a questionnaire was designed to explore the associations between MPs levels in the AF and maternal dietary habits, aiming at unveiling the potential sources of MPs in AF. The MPs levels in the AF were positively associated with the frequency of seafood consumption (r = 0.781, P < 0.001) and bottled water intake (r = 0.386, P = 0.014). Moreover, the associations between MPs levels in maternal AF and measures of fetal growth were evaluated. The abundance of total MPs in maternal AF were significantly negatively associated with gestational age (β = -0.44, 95 % CI, -0.83, -0.05). This study confirms the presence of MPs in human AF and provides compelling evidence linking them to gestational age, while highlighting the potential risks associated with dietary habits. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the mechanisms of MPs transmission from mother to fetus and the potential health implications during fetal development, offering valuable insights for future policies aimed at safeguarding maternal and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyang Xue
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhendong Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and critical care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaobing Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology and critical care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yan Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology and critical care, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China.
| | - Hai Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Fontes BLM, de Souza E Souza LC, da Silva de Oliveira APS, da Fonseca RN, Neto MPC, Pinheiro CR. The possible impacts of nano and microplastics on human health: lessons from experimental models across multiple organs. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2024:1-35. [PMID: 38517360 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2024.2330962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
The widespread production and use of plastics have resulted in accumulation of plastic debris in the environment, gradually breaking down into smaller particles over time. Nano-plastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs), defined as particles smaller than 100 nanometers and 5 millimeters, respectively, raise concerns due to their ability to enter the human body through various pathways including ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Various investigators demonstrated that these particles may produce physical and chemical damage to human cells, tissues, and organs, disrupting cellular processes, triggering inflammation and oxidative stress, and impacting hormone and neurotransmitter balance. In addition, micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) may carry toxic chemicals and pathogens, exacerbating adverse effects on human health. The magnitude and nature of these effects are not yet fully understood, requiring further research for a comprehensive risk assessment. Nevertheless, evidence available suggests that accumulation of these particles in the environment and potential human uptake are causes for concern. Urgent measures to reduce plastic pollution and limit human exposure to MNPLs are necessary to safeguard human health and the environment. In this review, current knowledge regarding the influence of MNPLs on human health is summarized, including toxicity mechanisms, exposure pathways, and health outcomes across multiple organs. The critical need for additional research is also emphasized to comprehensively assess potential risks posed by degradation of MNPLs on human health and inform strategies for addressing this emerging environmental health challenge. Finally, new research directions are proposed including evaluation of gene regulation associated with MNPLs exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Lannes Monteiro Fontes
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Sustentabilidade e Biodiversidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lorena Cristina de Souza E Souza
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Sustentabilidade e Biodiversidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Santos da Silva de Oliveira
- Núcleo Multidisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biologia - NUMPEX-BIO, Campus Duque de Caxias Geraldo Cidade, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Nunes da Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Sustentabilidade e Biodiversidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marinaldo Pacifico Cavalcanti Neto
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Sustentabilidade e Biodiversidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cintia Rodrigues Pinheiro
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais (LICM), Instituto de Sustentabilidade e Biodiversidade (NUPEM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ge Y, Yang S, Zhang T, Gong S, Wan X, Zhu Y, Fang Y, Hu C, Yang F, Yin L, Pu Y, Chen Z, Liang G. Ferroptosis participated in inhaled polystyrene nanoplastics-induced liver injury and fibrosis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170342. [PMID: 38278228 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
The emerging contaminant nanoplastics (NPs) have received considerable attention. Due to their tiny size and unique colloidal properties, NPs could more easily enter the body and cross biological barriers with inhalation exposure. While NPs-induced hepatotoxicity has been reported, the hepatic impact of inhaled NPs was still unknown. To close this gap, a 40 nm polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs) inhalation exposure mice model was developed to explore the hepatotoxicity during acute (1 week), subacute (4 weeks), and subchronic period (12 weeks), with four exposure doses (0, 16, 40, and 100 μg/day). Results showed that inhaled PS-NPs caused a remarkable increase of ALT, AST, and ALP with a decrease of CHE, indicating liver dysfunction. Various histological abnormalities and significantly higher levels of inflammation in a dose- and time-dependent manner were observed. Moreover, after 4 weeks and 12 weeks of exposure, Masson staining and upregulated expression of TGF-β, α-SMA, and Col1a1 identified that inhaled PS-NPs exposure triggered the progression of liver fibrosis with the exposure time prolonged. From the mechanistic perspective, transcriptome analysis revealed that ferroptosis was involved in PS-NPs-induced liver hepatotoxicity, and key features of ferroptosis were detected, including persistent oxidative stress, iron overload, increased LPO, mitochondria damage, and the expression changes of GPX4, TFRC, and Ferritin. And in vitro and in vivo recovery tests showed that ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 treatment alleviated liver injury and fibrosis. The above results confirmed the critical role of ferroptosis in PS-NPs-induced hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, to better conclude our findings and understand the mechanistic causality within it, an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework was established. In total, this present study conducted the first experimental assessment of inhalation exposure to PS-NPs on the liver, identified that continuous inhaled PS-NPs could cause liver injury and fibrosis, and PS-NPs- ferroptosis provided a novel mechanistic explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Ge
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Saisai Gong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yifei Fang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chengyu Hu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards of Hunan Province, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, PR China
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zaozao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
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Wang K, Du Y, Li P, Guan C, Zhou M, Wu L, Liu Z, Huang Z. Nanoplastics causes heart aging/myocardial cell senescence through the Ca 2+/mtDNA/cGAS-STING signaling cascade. J Nanobiotechnology 2024; 22:96. [PMID: 38448951 PMCID: PMC10918962 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-024-02375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoplastics (NPs) are now a new class of pollutants widely present in the soil, atmosphere, freshwater and marine environments. Nanoplastics can rapidly penetrate cell membranes and accumulate in human tissues and organs, thus posing a potential threat to human health. The heart is the main power source of the body. But up to now, the toxicological effects of long-term exposure to nanoplastics on the heart has not been revealed yet. RESULTS We evaluated the effects of long term exposure of nanoplastics on cardiac cell/tissue in vitro and in vivo model. Furthermore, we explored the molecular mechanism by which nanoplastics exposure causes myocardial cell senescence. Immunohistochemistry, indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA were performed to detect the effects of nanoplastics on heart aging. We found that nanoplastics were able to induce significant cardiac aging through a series of biochemical assays in vivo. In vitro, the effects of nanoplastics on cardiac cell were investigated, and found that nanoplastics were able to internalize into cardiomyocytes in time and dose-dependant manner. Further biochemical analysis showed that nanoplastics induces cardiomyocytes senescence by detecting a series of senescence marker molecules. Molecular mechanism research shows that nanoplastics may cause mitochondrial destabilization by inducing oxidative stress, which leads to the leakage of mtDNA from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, and then cytoplasm-localized mt-DNA activates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and promotes inflammation response, ultimately inducing cardiomyocytes senescence. CONCLUSIONS In this work, we found that nanoplastics exposure induces premature aging of heart. Current research also reveals the molecular mechanism by which nanoplastics induces cardiomyocyte senescence. This study laid the foundation for further studying the potential harm of nanoplastics exposure on heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihao Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yipeng Du
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peixin Li
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang Guan
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanlan Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zengfu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Huang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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10
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Zaman M, Khan FU, Younas W, Noorullah M, Ullah I, Li L, Zuberi A, Wang Y. Physiological and histopathological effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on the filter-feeding fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169376. [PMID: 38104827 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Excessive use of plastics in daily life is causing plastic pollution in aquatic environment and threatening the aquatic life. Therefore, research on the plastic pollution in aquatic environment is crucial to understand its impact and develop effective solution for safeguarding aquatic life and ecosystem. The current study investigated the effects of water borne polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on hemato-immunological indices, serum metabolic enzymes, gills, and liver antioxidant parameters, plasma cortisol level and histopathological changes in liver and gill tissues of the widely distributed fish Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The fingerlings of H. molitrix were exposed to different concentrations (T1-0.5, T2-1.0, and T3-2.0 mg/L) of PS-NPs respectively for 15 days consecutively. Our results indicated the dose dependent negative effects of PS-NPs on the physiology and histopathology of H. molitrix. Immuno-hematological indices showed significant increase in WBCs count, phagocytic activity, and lysozyme activity, while decreased RBC count, Hct%, Hb level, total proteins, IgM, and respiratory burst activity were observed. The levels of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, CAT and POD showed the decreasing trends while metabolic enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP and LDH), LPO, ROS activities and relative expressions of SOD1, CAT, HIF1-α and HSP-70 genes increased with increased concentrations of PS-NPs. Moreover, blood glucose and cortisol levels also showed significant increasing trends with dose dependent manner. Histopathological examination indicated moderate to severe changes in the gills and liver tissues of the group treated with 2.0 mg/L of PS-NPs. Overall, the results showed the deleterious effects of PS-NPs on physiology, immunity, metabolism, and gene expressions of H. molitrix. It is concluded that particulate plastic pollution has deleterious effects on filter feeding fish, which might affect human health through food chain and particulate chemical toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhib Zaman
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Fahim Ullah Khan
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Waqar Younas
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Noorullah
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Imdad Ullah
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Li'ang Li
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Amina Zuberi
- Fisheries & Aquaculture Lab, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
| | - Youji Wang
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Ministry of Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Kakakhel MA, Narwal N, Khan A, Ayub H, Jiang Z, Xiaotao S. Bio-reductive synthesis of silver nanoparticles, its antibacterial efficiency, and possible toxicity in common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio). Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:349-359. [PMID: 37846045 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The biological synthesis of nanoparticles is an emerging field of study that seeks to synthesize nanoparticles using non-chemical mechanisms such as microorganisms, plants, and animal blood serum. Among these, plants have gained particular attention due to their ease of handling, availability, and ability to synthesize a wide range of nanoparticles. Therefore, the current study aimed to fabricate the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Chinese medicinal plants (CMP) for their possible toxicity in common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio). For this purpose, CMP was dried, ground, and used as a bio-reductive agent. The fabricated AgNPs were characterized and a well dispersed AgNPs were obtained. Moreover, the C. carpio was exposed to the AgNPs for bioaccumulation and histological alterations. The obtained findings revealed that the AgNPs were mostly accumulated in the intestines followed by the gills, muscles, liver, and brain. The accumulated AgNPs caused histological alterations in gills and intestines at the highest concentration (0.08 mg/L). However, very less alterations were caused by the lowest concentration, especially in the intestine. In conclusion, further in-depth research is needed to determine the risks associated with the usage of nanoparticles to reveal their harmful impacts on fish and the aquatic environment. HIGHLIGHTS: The biological fabrication of AgNPs is considered eco-friendly. Chinese medicinal plants play a significant role in AgNPs synthesis. AgNPs have excellent antibacterial activity. AgNPs are bioaccumulated in various organs of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mian Adnan Kakakhel
- Hubei International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Fish Passage, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Nishita Narwal
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
| | - Alam Khan
- Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Life Sciences, Abasyn University Islamabad Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Huma Ayub
- Department of Zoology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Zewen Jiang
- Hubei International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Fish Passage, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
| | - Shi Xiaotao
- Hubei International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Fish Passage, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
- College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, China
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12
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Ge Y, Yang S, Zhang T, Wan X, Zhu Y, Yang F, Yin L, Pu Y, Liang G. The hepatotoxicity assessment of micro/nanoplastics: A preliminary study to apply the adverse outcome pathways. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:165659. [PMID: 37517720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a significant global problem over the years, leading to the continuous decomposition and accumulation of micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment. As a result, human exposure to these MNPLs is inevitable. The liver, in particular, is highly susceptible to potential MNPL toxicity. In this study, we systematically reviewed the current literature on MNPLs-induced hepatotoxicity and collected data on toxic events occurring at different biological levels. Then, to better understand the cause-mechanism causality, we developed an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) framework for MNPLs-induced hepatotoxicity. The AOP framework provided insights into the mechanism of MNPL-induced hepatotoxicity and highlighted potential health risks such as liver dysfunction and inflammation, metabolism disorders and liver fibrosis. Moreover, we discussed the potential application of emerging toxicological models in the hepatotoxicity study. Liver organoids and liver-on-chips, which can simulate the structure and function of the liver in vitro, offer a promising alternative platform for toxicity testing and risk assessment. We proposed combining the AOP framework with these emerging toxicological models to improve our understanding of the hepatotoxic effects of MNPLs. Overall, this study performed a preliminary exploration of novel toxicological methodologies to assess the hepatotoxicity of MNPLs, providing a deeper understanding of environmental toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Ge
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Sheng Yang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Tianyi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Xin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fei Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, The Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards of Hunan Province, School of Basic Medicine, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, PR China.
| | - Lihong Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Yuepu Pu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Geyu Liang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, PR China.
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13
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Sharma A, Kaur M, Sharma K, Bunkar SK, John P, Bhatnagar P. Nano polystyrene induced changes in anxiety and learning behaviour are mediated through oxidative stress and gene disturbance in mouse brain regions. Neurotoxicology 2023; 99:139-151. [PMID: 37865141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
It is widely reported now that nanoplastic particles have potential neurotoxic effects and may disturb central nervous system (CNS) function. However, the mechanism behind these toxic effects still needs to be elucidated. In the current study, we investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on changes in learning, memory, and anxiety-related behavior in mice based on some selected biochemical, molecular, and histopathological changes in three important brain regions (Cortex, Hypothalamus, and Hippocampus). Male mice were orally administered daily with two doses of 50 nm PS-NPs (0.2 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml) for 8 weeks. We observed decreased expression of neurotransmitter-related genes (VAChT, GAD, and SYP) in the cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus areas of the mouse brain. Other biochemical variables including, antioxidant enzymes, biomarkers for oxidative stress, and acetylcholinesterase activity showed significant alterations in all three brain regions. Molecular and neurochemical data thus suggest significant neurobehavioral changes following sub-chronic exposure to PS-NPs which may lead to enhanced anxiety-related and spatial learning and memory-related impairments by affecting limbic areas of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Sharma
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
| | - Manjyot Kaur
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Kirti Sharma
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Placheril John
- Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Pradeep Bhatnagar
- Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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14
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Xing Y, Li J, Yang J, Li J, Pang W, Martin FL, Xu L. Application of spectrochemical analysis with chemometrics to profile biochemical alterations in nanoplastic-exposed HepG 2 cells. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122309. [PMID: 37543068 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Humans are routinely exposed to nanoplastics (NPs) in various ways, and this exposure presents a significant health risk. Nevertheless, there remain gaps in our knowledge, particularly in the mechanisms of toxicity of NPs with different surface charges at very low environmental concentrations. Herein, a spectrochemical approach was used to profile the cytotoxicity of NPs with different surface charges in HepG2 cells. It was found that all three NPs can cause some biomolecular alterations in cells, affecting cellular lipids, proteins, amino acids, and genetic material. Of these, PS and PS-COOH led to a non-linear dose-response, which may be related to a biphasic dose-response, whereas PS-NH2 led to a linear dose-response with a gradual increase in toxicity with increasing exposure concentration. In addition, the spectroscopic results showed that surface modifications led to cellular biochemical changes and caused adverse biological effects, with PS-NH2 exhibiting higher toxicity compared to PS or PS-COOH along with an inhibition of cell proliferation. Surprisingly PS-COOH, although considered the least toxic NP, appears to cause DNA damage. Overall, the toxic effects of different surface-modified NPs in cells were detected for the first time by applying spectrochemical techniques, and these findings provide important data towards understanding the emerging widespread environmental pollution of NPs and their effects on humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xing
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jingjing Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Junyi Li
- National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute, Suzhou, 215128, China
| | - Weiyi Pang
- School of Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, 541199, China
| | - Francis L Martin
- Biocel Ltd, Hull, HU10 7TS, UK; Department of Cellular Pathology, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, FY3 8NR, UK
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China.
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15
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Ding R, Ma Y, Li T, Sun M, Sun Z, Duan J. The detrimental effects of micro-and nano-plastics on digestive system: An overview of oxidative stress-related adverse outcome pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:163144. [PMID: 37003332 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
With the massive manufacture and use of plastics, plastic pollution-related environmental impacts have raised great concern in recent years. As byproducts of plastic fragmentation and degradation, microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been identified as novel pollutants that posed a threat to the ecosystem and humans. Since MPs/NPs could be transported via the food chain and retained in the water, the digestive system should be one of the major targets of MPs/NPs-related toxicity. Although considerable evidence has supported the digestive toxicity of MPs/NPs, the proposed mechanisms remained ambiguous due to the variety of study types, models, and endpoints. This review provided a mechanism-based perspective on MPs/NPs-induced digestive effects by adopting the adverse outcome pathway framework as a promising tool. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species was identified as the molecular initiating event in MPs/NPs-mediated injury to the digestive system. A series of detrimental effects including oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, dysbiosis, and metabolic disorders were summarized as key events. Finally, the occurrence of these effects eventually led to an adverse outcome, suggesting a possible increase in the incidence of digestive morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyang Ding
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Yiming Ma
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Tianyu Li
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Mengqi Sun
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China
| | - Zhiwei Sun
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
| | - Junchao Duan
- Department of Toxicology and Sanitary Chemistry, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China.
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16
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Liu W, Zhang B, Yao Q, Feng X, Shen T, Guo P, Wang P, Bai Y, Li B, Wang P, Li R, Qu Z, Liu N. Toxicological effects of micro/nano-plastics on mouse/rat models: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1103289. [PMID: 37275491 PMCID: PMC10233117 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1103289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro/nano-plastics (MNPs) are considered a heterogeneous class of environmental contaminants that cause multiple toxic effects on biological species. As the commonly used mammalian models to study the effects of MNPs with regard to their toxic effects, the mouse and rat models are making a great contribution to the disciplines of environmental toxicology and medical health. However, the toxic effects of MNPs have not been systematically summarized. Therefore, a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the toxic effects of MNPs on mouse/rat models were conducted. A total of seven main categories were established in this systematic review, and 24 subcategories were further divided according to the specific physiological significance of the endpoint or the classification of the physiological system, which covered all the selected pieces of literature. A total of 1,762 biological endpoints were found, and 52.78% of them were significantly affected. This fact indicates that there are relative factors, including the size, polymer type, concentration, and exposure time of MNPs and different sexes of mouse/rat models that could significantly affect the biological endpoints. These biological endpoints can be classified into various factors, such as the dose-response relationships between MNP concentration and physiological categories of the nervous system, growth, reproduction, digestive tract histopathology, and inflammatory cytokine level, among others. MNPs negatively affected the blood glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and reproductive function in mice. The reproductive function in male mice is more sensitive to the toxic effects of MNPs. These findings also provide insights into and directions for exploring the evidence and mechanisms of the toxic effects of MNPs on human health. It is clear that more research is required on the pathological mechanisms at the molecular level and the long-term effects of tissue accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijia Liu
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Bowen Zhang
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qianqian Yao
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xihua Feng
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tianling Shen
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Peisen Guo
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Panpan Wang
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yitong Bai
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peixi Wang
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ruiling Li
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhi Qu
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nan Liu
- Institute of Environment and Health, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- Institute of Chronic Disease Risks Assessment, School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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17
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Gholamhosseini A, Banaee M, Sureda A, Timar N, Zeidi A, Faggio C. Physiological response of freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus exposed to polyethylene microplastics at different temperature. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 267:109581. [PMID: 36813019 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Not long after plastic-made material became an inseparable part of our lives, microplastics (MPs) found their way into ecosystems. Aquatic organisms are one of the groups impacted by man-made materials and plastics; however, the varied effects of MPs on these organisms have yet to be fully understood. Therefore, to clarify this issue, 288 freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus) were assigned to eight experimental groups (2 × 4 factorial design) and exposed to 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) per kg of food at 17 and 22 °C for 30 days. Then samples were taken from hemolymph and hepatopancreas to measure biochemical parameters, hematology, and oxidative stress. The aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and catalase activities increased significantly in crayfish exposed to PE-MPs, while the phenoxy-peroxidase, gamma-glutamyl peptidase, and lysozyme activities decreased. Glucose and malondialdehyde levels in crayfish exposed to PE-MPs were significantly higher than in the control groups. However, triglyceride, cholesterol, and total protein levels decreased significantly. The results showed that the increase in temperature significantly affected the activity of hemolymph enzymes, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents. The semi-granular cells, hyaline cells, granular cell percentages, and total hemocytes increased significantly with the PE-MPs exposure. Temperature also had a significant effect on the hematological indicators. Overall, the results showed that temperature variations could synergistically affect the changes induced by PE-MPs in biochemical parameters, immunity, oxidative stress, and the number of hemocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Gholamhosseini
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mahdi Banaee
- Aquaculture Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran.
| | - Antoni Sureda
- Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Fisiopatología de la Obesidad la Nutrición, University of Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Nooh Timar
- Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Zeidi
- Aquaculture Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and the Environment, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran
| | - Caterina Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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18
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Wang W, Guan J, Feng Y, Liu S, Zhao Y, Xu Y, Xu H, Fu F. Polystyrene Microplastics Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Juvenile Rats Associated with Oxidative Stress and Activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP Signaling Pathway. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11030225. [PMID: 36976990 PMCID: PMC10057489 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Numerous reports confirm that microplastics exposure could induce reproductive toxicity in mammals. However, the effects of microplastics exposure during juveniles on ovarian apoptosis through oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses remains unclear, which is the focus of our study. In the present study, female rats (4 weeks old) were exposed to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs, 1 μm) at different dosages (0, 0.5, and 2.0 mg/kg) for 28 days. Findings revealed that 2.0 mg/kg of PS-MPs distinctly increased the atretic follicle ratio in the ovary and dramatically reduced the serum levels of estrogen and progesterone. Additionally, the oxidative stress indicators declined, including the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, whereas the malondialdehyde content in the ovary was considerably enhanced in the 2.0 mg/kg PS-MPs group. Furthermore, the expressions of genes related to ER stress (PERK, eIF2α, ATF4, and CHOP) and apoptosis were remarkably elevated in the 2.0 mg/kg PS-MPs group compared with those in the control group. We found that PS-MPs induced oxidative stress and activated the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in juvenile rats. Moreover, with the oxidative stress inhibitor N-acetyl-cysteine and eIF2α dephosphorylation blocker Salubrinal treatment, ovarian damage induced by PS-MPs was repaired and associated enzyme activities were improved. Overall, our results indicated that PS-MPs exposure induced ovarian injury associated with oxidative stress and activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway in juvenile rats, providing new prospects for assessing the health risks of children exposed to microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanzhen Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Jiafu Guan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yueying Feng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Shanji Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Hengyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
| | - Fen Fu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, 235 Nanjing East Road, Nanchang 330047, China
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19
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Aliakbarzadeh F, Rafiee M, Khodagholi F, Khorramizadeh MR, Manouchehri H, Eslami A, Sayehmiri F, Mohseni-Bandpei A. Adverse effects of polystyrene nanoplastic and its binary mixtures with nonylphenol on zebrafish nervous system: From oxidative stress to impaired neurotransmitter system. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120587. [PMID: 36336178 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Micro(nano)plastics generally co-exist with other chemicals in the environment, resulting in inevitable interaction and combined toxic effects on biota. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the interaction of nanoplastics (NPs) with other co-occurring insults. Hereby, we investigated single and combined effects of chronic exposure (45 days) to polystyrene nanoplastic particulates (PS-NPs) and nonylphenol (4-NP) on zebrafish nervous system. Multiple biomarkers concerning with oxidative-stress [catalase (CAT) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) level], cholinergic system [Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity], glutamatergic system [glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities], energy metabolism [a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (a-KGDH) activity], and histological alterations were assessed. Both single and binary exposure to PS-NPs and 4-NP induced oxidative stress through reducing CAT activity and GSH level, in which a more sever effect was noticed in combined exposure. The AchE activity was significantly inhibited only in single treatment groups demonstrating antagonistic interaction between PS-NPs and 4-NP. Effects on GS activity was also alleviated in binary exposure as compared with single exposure to each contaminant. In addition, an increase in GDH activity was noticed in PS-NPs at 10 and 100 μg/L, and simultaneous presence of PS-NPs and 4-NP with a greater response were observed in combined treatments. PS-NPs and 4-NP either in separate or binary mixtures disrupted energy metabolism by deficiency of α-KGDH activity; however, co-exposure to PS-NPs and 4-NP induced more intense adverse impacts on this parameter. Furthermore, histological analysis revealed that 4-NP and PS-NPs, alone or in combination, reduced neural cells. These findings provide new insight into the neurotoxic effects of binary exposure to PS-NPs and 4-NP at environmentally relevant concentrations. Overall, our findings raise concerns about the presence and toxicity of nano-scale plastic particulates and highlight the importance of investigating the interaction of Micro(nano)plastics with other environmental irritants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Aliakbarzadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafiee
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Khodagholi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Khorramizadeh
- Biosensor Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Molecular-Cellular Sciences Institute, and Zebra Fish Core Facility (ZFIN ID: ZDB-LAB-190117-2), Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Manouchehri
- Department of Aquaculture Science, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
| | - Akbar Eslami
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sayehmiri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anoushiravan Mohseni-Bandpei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Guimarães ATB, Freitas ÍN, Mubarak NM, Rahman MM, Rodrigues FP, Rodrigues ASDL, Barceló D, Islam ARMT, Malafaia G. Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces an anxiolytic-like effect, changes in antipredator defensive response, and DNA damage in Swiss mice. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130004. [PMID: 36152541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although the in vivo toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) has already been reported in different model systems, their effects on mammalian behavior are poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether exposure to polystyrene (PS) NPs (diameter: 23.03 ± 0.266 nm) alters the behavior (locomotor, anxiety-like and antipredator) of male Swiss mice, induces brain antioxidant activity, and erythrocyte DNA damage. For this, the animals were exposed to NPs for 20 days at different doses (6.5 ng/kg and 6500 ng/kg). Initially, we did not observe any effect of pollutants on the locomotor activity of the animals (inferred via open field test and Basso mouse scale for locomotion). However, we noticed an anxiolytic-like behavior (in the open field test) and alterations in the antipredatory defensive response of mice exposed to PS NPs, when confronted with their predator potential (snake, Pantherophis guttatus). Furthermore, such changes were associated with suppressing brain antioxidant activity, inferred by lower DPPH radical scavenging activity, reduced total glutathione content, as well as the translocation and accumulation of NPs in the brain of the animals. In addition, we noted that the treatments induced DNA damage, evaluated via a single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) applied to circulating erythrocytes of the animals. However, we did not observe a dose-response effect for all biomarkers evaluated and the estimated accumulation of PS NPs in the brain. The values of the integrated biomarker response index and the results of the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical clustering analysis confirmed the similarity between the responses of animals exposed to different doses of PS NPs. Therefore, our study sheds light on how PS NPs can impact mammals and reinforce the ecotoxicological risk associated with the dispersion of these pollutants in natural environments and their uptake by mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ítalo Nascimento Freitas
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak
- Petroleum and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain; Water and Soil Quality Research Group, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), JordiGirona 1826, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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21
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Cunningham BE, Sharpe EE, Brander SM, Landis WG, Harper SL. Critical gaps in nanoplastics research and their connection to risk assessment. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2023; 5:1154538. [PMID: 37168661 PMCID: PMC10164945 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2023.1154538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports of plastics, at higher levels than previously thought, in the water that we drink and the air that we breathe, are generating considerable interest and concern. Plastics have been recorded in almost every environment in the world with estimates on the order of trillions of microplastic pieces. Yet, this may very well be an underestimate of plastic pollution as a whole. Once microplastics (<5 mm) break down in the environment, they nominally enter the nanoscale (<1,000 nm), where they cannot be seen by the naked eye or even with the use of a typical laboratory microscope. Thus far, research has focused on plastics in the macro- (>25 mm) and micro-size ranges, which are easier to detect and identify, leaving large knowledge gaps in our understanding of nanoplastic debris. Our ability to ask and answer questions relating to the transport, fate, and potential toxicity of these particles is disadvantaged by the detection and identification limits of current technology. Furthermore, laboratory exposures have been substantially constrained to the study of commercially available nanoplastics; i.e., polystyrene spheres, which do not adequately reflect the composition of environmental plastic debris. While a great deal of plastic-focused research has been published in recent years, the pattern of the work does not answer a number of key factors vital to calculating risk that takes into account the smallest plastic particles; namely, sources, fate and transport, exposure measures, toxicity and effects. These data are critical to inform regulatory decision making and to implement adaptive management strategies that mitigate risk to human health and the environment. This paper reviews the current state-of-the-science on nanoplastic research, highlighting areas where data are needed to establish robust risk assessments that take into account plastics pollution. Where nanoplastic-specific data are not available, suggested substitutions are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany E. Cunningham
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Emma E. Sharpe
- Institute of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Susanne M. Brander
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Coastal Oregon Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
| | - Wayne G. Landis
- Institute of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Stacey L. Harper
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, Corvallis, OR, United States
- *Correspondence: Stacey L. Harper,
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22
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Amereh F, Amjadi N, Mohseni-Bandpei A, Isazadeh S, Mehrabi Y, Eslami A, Naeiji Z, Rafiee M. Placental plastics in young women from general population correlate with reduced foetal growth in IUGR pregnancies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120174. [PMID: 36113646 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Constant exposure to plastics particulates has raised concerns against human health, particularly when it comes to birth outcomes. The present study explores the first appraisal of plastic particles in fresh human placenta and its association with foetal growth in neonates. Specifically, 43 pregnant women from general population were selected and their placentas were analyzed by digital microscopy and Raman microspectroscopy for microplastics (MPs <5 mm). We used regression analysis to estimate associations between MPs count in placenta and neonatal anthropometric measurements. MPs were found in all (13 out of 13) intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) pregnancies and their average abundance ranged from 2 to 38 particles per placenta, but were less than limit of detection (LOD) in normal pregnancies except three out of 30 subjects. This study is one of very few that detected MPs in human placenta in which particles <10 μm were the most abundant in both IUGR and normal pregnancies, accounting for up to 64%. Fragments clearly prevailed at normal pregnancies and fragments together with fibers predominated at IUGR placentas. Despite four different polymers forming the MPs being identified, the majority of MPs comprised of PE (polyethylene) and PS (polystyrene). Inverse associations between MPs exposure and birth outcomes were observed in terms of birth weight (r = - 0.82, p < 0.001), length (r = - 0.56, p < 0.001), head circumference (r = - 0.50, p = 0.001), and 1-min Apgar score (r = - 0.75, p < 0.001) among those with IUGR, compared to those that were nominated as normal pregnancies. While it seems plastic particles may affect placental-foetal interrelationship, the pattern of associations between their content in placenta and birth outcomes, however, shows evidence of a nonlinear or nonmonotonic dose response possibly through perturbation of gas and nutrients exchange which is worth future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Amereh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooshin Amjadi
- Maternal Fetal Medicine, Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anoushiravan Mohseni-Bandpei
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Siavash Isazadeh
- Process and Engineering Manager, Municipal Water Contract Operations Business, Veolia North America, USA
| | - Yadollah Mehrabi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akbar Eslami
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Naeiji
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine Mahdieh Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafiee
- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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23
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Turna Demir F, Akkoyunlu G, Demir E. Interactions of Ingested Polystyrene Microplastics with Heavy Metals (Cadmium or Silver) as Environmental Pollutants: A Comprehensive In Vivo Study Using Drosophila melanogaster. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11101470. [PMID: 36290374 PMCID: PMC9598744 DOI: 10.3390/biology11101470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Living organisms are now constantly exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs), and besides their toxic potential, they can also act as carriers of various hazardous elements such as heavy metals. Therefore, this study explored possible interactions between polystyrene microplastics (PSMPLs) and two metal pollutants: cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and silver nitrate (AgNO3). To better understand the extent of biological effects caused by different sizes of PSMPLs, we conducted in vivo experiments with five doses (from 0.01 to 10 mM) that contained polystyrene particles measuring 4, 10, and 20 µm in size on Drosophila larvae. Additional experiments were performed by exposing larvae to two individual metals, CdCl2 (0.5 mM) and AgNO3 (0.5 mM), as well as combined exposure to PSMPLs (0.01 and 10 mM) and these metals, in an attempt to gain new insight into health risks of such co-exposure. Using transmission electron microscopy imaging, we managed to visualize the biodistribution of ingested PSMPLs throughout the fly's body, observing the interactions of such plastics with Drosophila intestinal lumen, cellular uptake by gut enterocytes, the passage of plastic particles through the intestinal barrier to leak into the hemolymph, and cellular uptake by hemocytes. Observations detected size and shape changes in the ingested PSMPLs. Egg-to-adult viability screening revealed no significant toxicity upon exposure to individual doses of tested materials; however, the combined exposure to plastic and metal particles induced aggravated genotoxic effects, including intestinal damage, genetic damage, and intracellular oxidative stress (ROS generation), with smaller sized plastic particles + metals (cadmium and silver) causing greater damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Turna Demir
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques Programme, Vocational School of Health Services, Antalya Bilim University, 07190 Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Akkoyunlu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, 07070 Antalya, Turkey
| | - Eşref Demir
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Medical Laboratory Techniques Programme, Vocational School of Health Services, Antalya Bilim University, 07190 Antalya, Turkey
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +90-242-245-00-88; Fax: +90-242-245-01-00
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24
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Yin J, Ju Y, Qian H, Wang J, Miao X, Zhu Y, Zhou L, Ye L. Nanoplastics and Microplastics May Be Damaging Our Livers. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10100586. [PMID: 36287866 PMCID: PMC9610555 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10100586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Plastics in the environment can be degraded and even broken into pieces under the action of natural factors, and the degraded products with a particle size of less than 5 mm are called microplastics (MPs). MPs exist in a variety of environmental media that come into contact with the human body. It can enter the body through environmental media and food chains. At present, there are many studies investigating the damage of MPs to marine organisms and mammals. The liver is the largest metabolizing organ and plays an important role in the metabolism of MPs in the body. However, there is no available systematic review on the toxic effects of MPs on the liver. This paper summarizes the adverse effects and mechanisms of MPs on the liver, by searching the literature and highlighting the studies that have been published to date, and provides a scenario for the liver toxicity caused by MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianli Yin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ye Ju
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Honghao Qian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xiaohan Miao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Liting Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Lin Ye
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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25
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Liao H, Liu S, Junaid M, Gao D, Ai W, Chen G, Wang J. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exacerbated the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics through histological damage and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in freshwater Micropterus salmoides. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 219:118608. [PMID: 35605397 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Organic pollutants such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) interact with nanoplastics (NPs) and change their bioavailability and toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study aims to assess the ecotoxicological impacts of NPs in the presence and absence of DEHP on juvenile largemouth bass (LMB) Micropterus salmoides. Therefore, LMB was fed with diets containing various concentrations (0, 2, 10, and 40 mg/g) of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) by the weight of diets. After a 21-day of PSNPs dietary exposure, LMB was treated with DEHP at 450 μg/L through waterborne exposure for three days. Our results showed that PSNPs were accumulated in the intestinal tissues, which significantly decreased the feeding and growth rates in LMB. The histopathological analysis showed the intestine and liver of LMB were subjected to various degrees of structural damage caused by PSNPs, and DEHP-PSNP co-exposure enhanced those histopathological damages in both tissues. Additionally, the co-exposure induced oxidative stress in terms of increased activities of glutathione S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes in the liver, intestine, spleen, and serum. Furthermore, the co-exposure significantly changed the intestinal microbial composition, i.e., the decrease in the abundance of probiotics (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria) and the increase in pathogenic bacteria (Firmicutes) posed a great threat to fish metabolism and health. Therefore, this study highlights that the presence of DEHP enhances the toxicity of NPs on LMB in freshwater and suggests the regulated use of plastic and its additives for improving the health status of aquaculture fish for food safety in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Liao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shulin Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Dandan Gao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Wenjie Ai
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guanglong Chen
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, 530007, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai 528478, China.
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26
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A web-based calculator for predicting the prognosis of patients with sarcoma on the basis of antioxidant gene signatures. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1407-1428. [PMID: 35143416 PMCID: PMC8876918 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in tumorigenesis, tumor development, and resistance to therapy. A systematic analysis of the interactions between antioxidant gene expression and the prognosis of patients with sarcoma is lacking but urgently needed. Methods: Gene expression and clinical data of patients with sarcoma were derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas Sarcoma (training cohort) and Gene Expression Omnibus (validation cohorts) databases. Least absolute shrinkage, selection operator regression, and Cox regression were used to develop prognostic signatures for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Based on the signatures and clinical features, two nomograms for predicting 2-, 4-, and 6-year OS and DFS were established. Results: On the basis of the training cohort, we identified five-gene (CHAC2, GPX5, GSTK1, PXDN, and S100A9) and six-gene (GGTLC2, GLO1, GPX7, GSTK1, GSTM5, and IPCEF1) signatures for predicting OS and DFS, respectively, in patients with sarcoma. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis of the training and validation cohorts revealed that patients in the high-risk group had a significantly poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk group. On the basis of the signatures and other independent risk factors, we established two models for predicting OS and DFS that showed excellent calibration and discrimination. For the convenience of clinical application, we built web-based calculators (OS: https://quankun.shinyapps.io/sarcOS/; DFS: https://quankun.shinyapps.io/sarcDFS/). Conclusions: The antioxidant gene signature models established in this study can be novel prognostic predictors for sarcoma.
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