We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Study of the combined-carrier dual mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and nonylphenol ethoxylates on bovine serum albumin
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles from bottles and packaging (PET microplastics) can act like sponges, soaking up hormone-disrupting chemicals called nonylphenol ethoxylates and carrying them into our bodies, and stomach acid conditions actually make these plastics release even more of the chemical. When both the plastic and chemical hitch a ride together, they bind more strongly to a key blood protein and disrupt its normal shape and function more than either one does alone, suggesting this "combo effect" could pose a greater health risk than scientists previously assumed by studying microplastics and chemicals separately.
Microplastics, as carriers of environmental pollutants, may influence their biological effects through adsorption. The adsorption mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET MPs) on the endocrine disrupting compound nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) is studied. Furthermore, the effect of the PET MPs–NPE complex on the structure and function of the carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) is further explored. The adsorption process of PET MPs on NPE conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9985) and Freundlich model (R2 = 0.9241), and belongs to a spontaneous, endothermic, and entropy-increasing process. PET MPs function as effective NPE carriers, achieving a desorption rate of 59.29% in acidic buffer solution (pH 1.2), suggesting that ingestion may enhance NPE release risk in vivo. Multispectral analysis showed that free PET MPs and NPE were bound to Site II of BSA through hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, altering BSA’s secondary structure. When PET MPs and NPE coexist, they exhibit a combined effect, manifested by significantly enhanced binding affinity with BSA (Kb from 5.39 × 104 M−1 to 2.71 × 105 M−1) and higher disturbance to BSA conformation than a single component. The PET MPs–NPE complex triggers pronounced conformational changes in BSA, suppresses esterase-like activity, and alters thiol content.
More Papers Like This
Interactions of environmentally relevant polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro-nanoplastics with toxic elements and organic co-pollutants: Chemical corona formation and impact on toxicity and bioavailability during gastrointestinal co-ingestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles from bottles and packaging (PET microplastics) can act like magnets, picking up toxic metals (arsenic, lead) and chemicals (like PFOS "forever chemicals") from their surroundings and carrying them into your gut. In lab tests using a model of the human intestine, these plastic-chemical combos didn't kill cells outright, but they increased stress inside cells and helped the toxic substances slip through the gut lining more easily by weakening the "seals" between intestinal cells. This suggests that eating microplastics alongside common pollutants might make those pollutants more harmful by helping your
The carrier effect of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in 4-methylimidazole and bovine serum albumin interactions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics act as carriers for 4-methylimidazole, a food processing-derived pollutant, with the microplastic-adsorbed contaminant altering the structural conformation of bovine serum albumin more severely than the contaminant alone, suggesting a 'Trojan horse' enhancement of toxicity.
Co-Existing Nanoplastics Further Exacerbates the Effects of Triclosan on the Physiological Functions of Human Serum Albumin
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that when nanoplastics and triclosan (an antimicrobial chemical) are present together, the nanoplastics make triclosan bind more strongly to human serum albumin, a key blood protein. This stronger binding disrupts the protein's normal enzyme function more than triclosan alone would. The findings are concerning because people are exposed to both nanoplastics and triclosan simultaneously, and their combined effect on blood proteins could be worse than either substance individually.
Adsorption of clarithromycin on polystyrene nanoplastics surface and its combined adverse effect on serum albumin
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how the antibiotic clarithromycin binds to the surface of polystyrene nanoplastics and how this combination interacts with blood proteins. They found that the drug readily adsorbed onto the nanoplastic surface and that the drug-nanoplastic complex altered the structure and function of serum albumin more than either substance alone. The findings suggest that nanoplastics could amplify the biological effects of pharmaceutical pollutants by acting as carriers in the body.
Microplastics as carriers of environmental contaminants: Implications for human exposure, toxicokinetics, and health risk.
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles found in our air, water, and food aren't just a problem on their own, this review pulls together existing research showing they can act like sponges, soaking up toxic chemicals like heavy metals, industrial pollutants, and even medications, then potentially carrying them into our bodies. Scientists have already found microplastics in human tissue, and this combination of plastic plus hitchhiking chemicals may pose greater health risks than either would alone, though more research is needed to fully understand the danger.
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.