We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic-induced hypertension in rats: A two-hit model exploring oxidative stress and gut microbiota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used a two-hit model in rats to examine whether maternal microplastic exposure during pregnancy and nursing worsens the effects of direct microplastic exposure later in life. They found that combined maternal and postnatal exposure elevated blood pressure more than either exposure alone, with effects linked to oxidative stress and changes in gut bacteria. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may have compounding effects across generations, raising concerns about long-term cardiovascular and kidney health.
Microplastic particulates (MPs) accumulate widely in ecosystems and pose health risks to both pregnant women and their offspring. Studies have detected MPs in the kidneys and fetal tissues, but it remains unclear whether maternal MP exposure worsens postnatal MP-induced hypertension and kidney disease. This study examined male rat offspring (n = 8/group) divided into four exposure groups: control, indirect (maternal exposure to 1 mg/L MPs during gestation and lactation), direct (offspring exposure to 1 mg/L MPs from 3 to 16 weeks), and combined exposure. By 16 weeks, both maternal and postnatal MP exposure elevated blood pressure (BP), with a synergistic effect observed in the combined exposure group. Maternal MP exposure also increased plasma creatinine levels, indicating kidney dysfunction. Oxidative kidney damage was associated with both direct and indirect MP exposure. Additionally, combined exposure disrupted gut microbiota, reducing species richness and evenness, and downregulated renal angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression, a key regulator of BP. These findings underscore the long-term health risks of MPs, emphasizing their role in the developmental origins of hypertension and kidney disease.
More Papers Like This
Maternal Exposure to Microplastics and High-Fructose Diet Induces Offspring Hypertension via Disruption of H2S Signaling, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolic Networks
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that maternal exposure to both microplastics and a high-fructose diet during pregnancy and lactation raised blood pressure in rat offspring, with additive effects when the two exposures were combined. Microplastic exposure suppressed hydrogen sulfide signaling enzymes in the kidneys and altered gut microbial communities linked to blood pressure regulation. The study suggests that prenatal microplastic exposure may program long-term cardiovascular and kidney risks in offspring through disrupted metabolic pathways.
The influence of microplastics on hypertension-associated cardiovascular injury via the modulation of gut microbiota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that people with high blood pressure had more microplastics in their stool samples than healthy individuals, and feeding microplastics to mice raised their blood pressure and caused heart damage. The harm was linked to changes in gut bacteria, and a high-fiber diet or antibiotics helped reduce the damage. This study suggests microplastic exposure may worsen heart and blood pressure problems by disrupting the gut microbiome.
Prenatal High-Fat Diet Combined with Microplastic Exposure Induces Liver Injury via Oxidative Stress in Male Pups
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the combined effects of a maternal high-fat diet and microplastic exposure on liver health in newborn rat pups. They found that the combination caused more severe liver fat accumulation and oxidative stress damage than either factor alone. The study suggests that prenatal exposure to both microplastics and an unhealthy diet may compound the risk of liver injury in offspring.
Postbiotic Sodium Butyrate Mitigates Hypertension and Kidney Dysfunction in Juvenile Rats Exposed to Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study reports that sodium butyrate, a postbiotic compound, mitigated microplastic-induced hypertension and kidney dysfunction in juvenile rats by reducing oxidative stress, modulating the gut microbiota, and elevating butyric acid levels.
Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether resveratrol, a natural plant compound, could protect young rats from kidney damage and high blood pressure caused by microplastic exposure. They found that microplastics elevated blood pressure and creatinine levels through oxidative stress, and that resveratrol treatment effectively prevented these effects. The study suggests resveratrol may offer protective benefits against organ damage linked to microplastic exposure, partly by improving gut microbiota balance.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.