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Intranasal exposure to UV-irradiated polystyrene nanoplastics triggers vital organ inflammation and cognitive impairment
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Researchers exposed rats to polystyrene nanoplastics through nasal passages and found that UV-irradiated particles caused more severe damage than pristine ones, triggering inflammation in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Smaller 100-nanometer particles caused more serious liver damage than larger 600-nanometer particles, as indicated by elevated liver enzyme levels. The study also found that learning and memory abilities declined as the duration of nanoplastic photoaging increased.
Nanoplastics (NPs) are emerging environmental contaminants that can undergo photoaging before inhalation. However, it remains unclear how intranasal exposure to photoaged NPs triggers vital organ inflammation and cognitive impairment. This study investigated the health impact of intranasal exposure to polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) of 100 nm (PS100) and 600 nm (PS600), both before and after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Irradiation generated reactive oxygen species, lowered zeta potentials, reduced particle sizes, and decreased solution pH. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that UV-irradiated PSNPs caused significant damage to the nasal mucosa. In rats, exposure to PSNPs, particularly those irradiated for 3 and 6 h, resulted in pronounced pulmonary inflammation. Additionally, inflammatory lesions were observed in the liver and kidneys, with smaller PS100 particles causing more severe liver damage. Notably, rats exposed to PS100 showed significantly elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (72.27 ± 34.34 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (173.55 ± 35.13 U/L) (P < 0.05). Blood tests revealed increased white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils post-exposure. Furthermore, learning and memory abilities in rats declined as the duration of PSNPs photoaging increased, with up to a 48-second delay observed in the hidden platform test. These findings demonstrate that intranasal exposure to photoaged PSNPs induced inflammation in vital organs and impaired cognitive function, highlighting potential health risks associated with their inhalation.
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Researchers found that ultraviolet light exposure changes the surface properties of polystyrene nanoplastics, making them more toxic to mouse livers than untreated particles. The UV-altered nanoplastics caused greater disruption to liver metabolism, triggering increased oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. The study highlights that environmental weathering can make nanoplastics more harmful over time, which means laboratory studies using pristine particles may underestimate real-world health risks.
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This study exposed rats to different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics and examined the effects on their colon, liver, and spleen. The results showed tissue damage including inflammation and cell death in all three organs, with higher concentrations causing more severe effects. These findings suggest that nanoplastics small enough to enter the body can cause organ-level damage, raising concerns about long-term human exposure.
In vivo impact assessment of orally administered polystyrene nanoplastics: biodistribution, toxicity, and inflammatory response in mice
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Researchers orally administered polystyrene nanoplastics to mice for two weeks and tracked their distribution and biological effects. The nanoplastics accumulated primarily in the intestine, kidneys, and liver, triggering significant inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in these organs despite no visible tissue damage. The study provides evidence that even short-term oral exposure to nanoplastics can cause meaningful inflammatory changes in multiple organ systems.
Adverse effects of pristine and aged polystyrene microplastics in mice and their Nrf2-mediated defense mechanisms with tissue specificity
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Researchers exposed mice to pristine and UV-aged polystyrene microplastics via intratracheal instillation and found structural damage to the gut, liver, spleen, and testis. Aged microplastics caused greater functional damage than pristine particles, including increased liver enzymes and cholesterol, reduced antioxidant capacity, and tissue-specific activation of the Nrf2 defense pathway.
Biological interactions of polystyrene nanoplastics: Their cytotoxic and immunotoxic effects on the hepatic and enteric systems
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Researchers exposed mouse and human liver cells and live mice to polystyrene nanoplastics of five different sizes and found that the smallest particles were most toxic in lab dishes, while medium and large particles caused the most liver damage in living animals. The larger particles triggered immune responses by recruiting inflammatory cells to the liver and intestines, causing tissue damage. This study reveals that nanoplastic size matters in unexpected ways, and that lab tests alone may not predict which particles are most dangerous in the body.
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