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Sun M, Zhang M, Di F, Bai W, Sun J, Zhang M, Sun J, Li M, Liang X. Polystyrene nanoplastics induced learning and memory impairments in mice by damaging the glymphatic system. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116874. [PMID: 39153278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116874] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
The excessive usage of nanoplastics (NPs) has posed a serious threat to the ecological environment and human health, which can enter the brain and then result in neurotoxicity. However, research on the neurotoxic effects of NPs based on different exposure routes and modifications of functional groups is lacking. In this study, the neurotoxicity induced by NPs was studied using polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) of different modifications (PS, PS-COOH, and PS-NH2). It was found that PS-NH2 through intranasal administration (INA) exposure route exhibited the greatest accumulation in the mice brain after exposure for 7 days. After the mice were exposed to PS-NH2 by INA means for 28 days, the exploratory ability and spatial learning ability were obviously damaged in a dose-dependent manner. Further analysis indicated that these damages induced by PS-NH2 were closely related to the decreased ability of glymphatic system to clear β-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated Tau (P-Tau) proteins, which was ascribed to the loss of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) polarization in the astrocytic endfeet. Moreover, the loss of AQP4 polarization might be regulated by the NF-κB pathway. Our current study establishes the connection between the neurotoxicity induced by PS-NPs and the glymphatic system dysfunction for the first time, which will contribute to future research on the neurotoxicity of NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China; School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Fanglin Di
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China
| | - Weijie Bai
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Jikui Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Mingkun Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Jinlong Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Meng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China.
| | - Xue Liang
- School of Public Health, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China; Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, China.
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2
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Subramanian D, Ponnusamy Manogaran G, Dharmadurai D. A systematic review on the impact of micro-nanoplastics on human health: Potential modulation of epigenetic mechanisms and identification of biomarkers. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142986. [PMID: 39094707 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142986] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic-mediated modifications, induced by adverse environmental conditions, significantly alter an organism's physiological mechanisms. Even after elimination of the stimulus, these epigenetic modifications can be inherited through mitosis, thereby triggering transgenerational epigenetics. Plastics, with their versatile properties, are indispensable in various aspects of daily life. However, due to mismanagement, plastics have become so ubiquitous in the environment that no ecosystem on Earth is free from micro-nanoplastics (MNPs). This situation has raised profound concerns regarding their potential impact on human health. Recently, both in vivo animal and in vitro human cellular models have shown the potential to identify the harmful effects of MNPs at the genome level. The emerging epigenetic impact of MNP exposure is characterized by short-term alterations in chromatin remodelling and miRNA modulation. However, to understand long-term epigenetic changes and potential transgenerational effects, substantial and more environmentally realistic exposure studies are needed. In the current review, the intricate epigenetic responses, including the NHL-2-EKL-1, NDK-1-KSR1/2, and WRT-3-ASP-2 cascades, wnt-signalling, and TGF- β signalling, established in model organisms such as C. elegans, mice, and human cell lines upon exposure to MNPs, were systematically examined. This comprehensive analysis aimed to predict human pathways by identifying human homologs using databases and algorithms. We are confident that various parallel miRNA pathways, specifically the KSR-ERK-MAPK pathway, FOXO-Insulin cascade, and GPX3-HIF-α in humans, may be influenced by MNP exposure. This influence may lead to disruptions in key metabolic and immune pathways, including glucose balance, apoptosis, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Therefore, we believe that these genes and pathways could serve as potential biomarkers for future studies. Additionally, this review emphasizes the origin, dispersion, and distribution of plastics, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between plastics and human health while elaborating on the epigenetic impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshini Subramanian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Sciences, REVA University, Bengaluru, 560064, Karnataka, India.
| | | | - Dhanasekaran Dharmadurai
- Department of Microbiology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Zhang C, Wang F, Bao F, Zhu J, Xu J, Lin D. The effects of nanoplastics and microcystin-LR coexposure on Aristichthys nobilis at the early developmental stages. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 273:107006. [PMID: 38909583 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.107006] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) are two common and harmful pollutants in water environments, especially at aquafarm where are full of plastic products and algae. It is of great significance to study the toxic effects and mechanisms of the NPs and/or MC-LR on fish at the early stage. In this study, the embryo and larvae of a filtering-feeding fish, Aristichthys nobilis, were used as the research objects. The results showed that the survival and hatching rates of the embryo were not significantly affected by the environmental concentration exposure of these two pollutants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation displayed that NPs adhered to the surface of the embryo membrane. Transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses revealed that the NPs exposure activated neuromuscular junction development and skeletal muscle fiber in larvae, and affected C5-Branched dibasic acid metabolism. The metabolic and biosynthetic processes of zeaxanthin, xanthophyll, tetraterpenoid, and carotenoid were suppressed after the MC-LR exposure, which was harmful to the retinol metabolism of fish. Excessive production of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was detected under the MC-LR exposure. The MC-LR and NPs coexposure triggered primary immunodeficiency and adaptive immune response, leading to the possibility of reduced fitness of A.nobilis during the development. Collectively, our results indicate that environmental concentration NPs and MC-LR coexposure could cause toxic damage and enhance sick risk in A.nobilis, providing new insights into the risk of NPs and MC-LR on filtering-feeding fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaonan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou 313300, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou 313300, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development, College of Life Science, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Feifan Bao
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Junjie Zhu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development, College of Life Science, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Jiang Xu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Daohui Lin
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Ecological Civilization Academy, Huzhou 313300, China.
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Chen L, Liu Z, Yang T, Zhao W, Yao Y, Liu P, Jia H. Photoaged Tire Wear Particles Leading to the Oxidative Damage on Earthworms ( Eisenia fetida) by Disrupting the Antioxidant Defense System: The Definitive Role of Environmental Free Radicals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4500-4509. [PMID: 38415582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c07878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Tire wear particles (TWPs) have caused increasing concerns due to their detrimental effects on the soil ecosystem. However, the role of weathering in altering the toxicity of TWP to soil organisms is poorly understood. In this study, the toxicity of original and photoaged TWP was compared using earthworms (Eisenia fetida) as soil model organisms. The obtained results indicated that photoaging of TWP resulted in an increase of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) from 3.69 × 1017 to 5.20 × 1017 spin/g. Meanwhile, photoaged TWP induced the changes of toxic endpoint in E. fetide, i.e., the increase of the weight loss and death ratio from 0.0425 to 0.0756 g/worm and 23.3 to 50% compared to original TWP under a 10% concentration, respectively. Analyses of transcriptomics, antioxidant enzyme activity, and histopathology demonstrated that the enhanced toxicity was mainly due to oxidative damage, which was induced by disruption in the antioxidant defense system. Free-radical quenching and correlation analysis further suggested that the excessive production of ex vivo reactive oxygen species, induced by EPFRs, led to the exhaustion of the antioxidant defense system. Overall, this work provides new insights into the potential hazard of the weathered TWP in a soil environment and has significant implications for the recycling and proper disposal of spent tire particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Chen
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Ze Liu
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Tianhuan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Weijie Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Youzhi Yao
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Peng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
| | - Hanzhong Jia
- Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northwestern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Nature Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, 3# Taicheng Road, Yangling 712100, P. R. China
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Ren X, Mao M, Feng M, Peng T, Long X, Yang F. Fate, abundance and ecological risks of microcystins in aquatic environment: The implication of microplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 251:121121. [PMID: 38277829 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121121] [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: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Microcystins are highly toxic cyanotoxins and have been produced worldwide with the global expansion of harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HABs), posing serious threats to human health and ecosystem safety. Yet little knowledge is available on the underlying process occurring in the aquatic environment with microcystins. Microplastics as vectors for pollutants has received growing attention and are widely found co-existing with microcystins. On the one hand, microplastics could react with microcystins by adsorption, altering their environmental behavior and ecological risks. On the other hand, particular attention should be given to microplastics due to their implications on the outbreak of HABs and the generation and release of microcystins. However, limited reviews have been undertaken to link the co-existing microcystins and microplastics in natural water. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding on the environmental relevance of microcystins and microplastics and their potential interactions, with particular emphasis on the adsorption, transport, sources, ecotoxicity and environmental transformation of microcystins affected by microplastics. In addition, current knowledge gaps and future research directions on the microcystins and microplastics are presented. Overall, this review will provide novel insights into the ecological risk of microcystins associated with microplastics in real water environment and lay foundation for the effective management of HABs and microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Ren
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Meiyi Mao
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Mengqi Feng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Tangjian Peng
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Xizi Long
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Fei Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiang Ya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
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Li P, Liu J. Micro(nano)plastics in the Human Body: Sources, Occurrences, Fates, and Health Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38315819 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The increasing global attention on micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) is a result of their ubiquity in the water, air, soil, and biosphere, exposing humans to MNPs on a daily basis and threatening human health. However, crucial data on MNPs in the human body, including the sources, occurrences, behaviors, and health risks, are limited, which greatly impedes any systematic assessment of their impact on the human body. To further understand the effects of MNPs on the human body, we must identify existing knowledge gaps that need to be immediately addressed and provide potential solutions to these issues. Herein, we examined the current literature on the sources, occurrences, and behaviors of MNPs in the human body as well as their potential health risks. Furthermore, we identified key knowledge gaps that must be resolved to comprehensively assess the effects of MNPs on human health. Additionally, we addressed that the complexity of MNPs and the lack of efficient analytical methods are the main barriers impeding current investigations on MNPs in the human body, necessitating the development of a standard and unified analytical method. Finally, we highlighted the need for interdisciplinary studies from environmental, biological, medical, chemical, computer, and material scientists to fill these knowledge gaps and drive further research. Considering the inevitability and daily occurrence of human exposure to MNPs, more studies are urgently required to enhance our understanding of their potential negative effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jingfu Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
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