We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Larger-sized polystyrene nanoplastics enhance steroid hormone synthesis in mice: Potential role of gut-testis axis
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics—found widely in our environment—may disrupt male reproductive health by throwing off the balance of gut bacteria, which in turn affects hormone production in the testes, according to a new mouse study. Surprisingly, slightly larger plastic particles (500 nanometers) caused more hormone disruption than smaller ones (100 nanometers), likely by changing gut bacteria in ways that boost fat molecules linked to hormone production. While this research was done in mice, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that the gut microbiome may be a hidden pathway through which plastic poll
Abstract Nanoplastics (NPs) can accumulate in the testis, inducing male reproductive toxicity. However, their effects on steroidogenesis remain controversial, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. This study explored the impact of gut microbiota dysbiosis on steroid hormone levels in mice exposed to low-level of polystyrene (PS) NPs of two sizes: 500 nm (PS500) and 100 nm (PS100). The results demonstrated that PS500 enhanced steroid hormone synthesis, with greater increases than PS100. Metabolome analysis confirmed that, in the most significantly enriched pathway of unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, PS500 elevated the levels of arachidonic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid, while PS100 only increased arachidonic acid and palmitic acid. More importantly, in PS500-exposed group, the gut microbes Desulfovibrio and Allobaculum were linked to unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, which was correlated with testicular steroidogenesis; whereas these correlations were absent in PS100-exposed group. It was thus proposed that larger-sized PS500 reduced Desulfovibrio abundance, which may promote oleic acid synthesis, being associated with the enhanced synthesis of steroid hormones in mouse testis. Collectively, these findings shed new light on the role of gut microbiota-metabolism-testis axis in NPs-triggered male reproductive damage, suggesting potential implications for the evaluation and intervention of human health risks from environmental exposure to NPs.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure induces reproductive toxicity in male mice associated with the gut-liver/testis axis.
AI summary Read the abstract
In a study, male mice that ate tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics, like those found in bottled water and packaged food) for 28 days showed weight loss, disrupted gut bacteria, liver stress, and lower-quality sperm. The findings suggest these plastic particles may harm male fertility partly by throwing off the gut's healthy bacteria, which then seems to send disruptive signals to the liver and testes. This is animal research, not proof of the same effect in humans, but it adds to growing concerns about how the microplastics we're constantly exposed to might affect long-term reproductive health.
Integrated fecal microbiome and metabolome analysis explore the link between polystyrene nanoplastics exposure and male reproductive toxicity in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes and doses, then analyzed fecal microbiome and metabolome changes alongside reproductive outcomes. The study found that nanoplastic exposure disrupted gut microbiota balance and metabolic pathways, which correlated with reduced sperm count, viability, and testosterone levels. The findings suggest that gut microbiota-metabolite disruption may play an important role in nanoplastic-induced male reproductive toxicity.
Oral Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Disrupts Gut–Testis Metabolic Homeostasis and EGR1-Associated Steroidogenic Regulation in Male Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice given polystyrene nanoplastics by mouth for 28 days showed damaged gut linings and lower testosterone-related activity in the testes, linked to reduced butyrate, a gut-produced compound. Transferring gut bacteria from exposed mice partly caused similar problems in other mice, while giving butyrate supplements partly improved reproductive measures, pointing to a gut-testis connection in this effect.
Microplastics-perturbed gut microbiota triggered the testicular disorder in male mice: Via fecal microbiota transplantation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics disrupted gut microbiota in mice, which in turn triggered testicular damage and reproductive disorders. Through fecal microbiota transplantation experiments, the study suggests that gut bacteria play a critical role in microplastic-induced reproductive toxicity, with inflammatory immune responses driven by bacterial changes being a key mechanism.
Adolescent exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces male reproductive damage via the microbiome-gut-testis axis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed adolescent rats to polystyrene nanoplastics for five weeks and observed dose-dependent damage to testicular tissue, disrupted spermatogenesis, and compromised blood-testis barrier integrity. The study revealed a novel microbiome-gut-testis axis mechanism, where nanoplastics altered gut bacteria composition, which in turn contributed to reproductive toxicity in developing males.
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.