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Protective effects of melatonin against polystyrene nanoplastic–induced placental dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes in rats
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In pregnant rats, exposure to nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles found in everyday pollution) damaged the placenta and harmed pregnancy outcomes by increasing cell-damaging stress. Melatonin, a hormone your body makes naturally (and that's sold as a sleep supplement), helped protect against this damage when given to the rats. While this is early animal research and hasn't been tested in humans yet, it raises hopeful questions about whether melatonin could someday help protect pregnancies from the growing problem of plastic pollution in our environment.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a major environmental and health concern. This study investigated the adverse effects of polystyrene nano-plastics (PSNP) on placental structure and pregnancy outcomes, as well as the potential protective role of melatonin during gestation. Pregnant Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, PSNP-exposed (10 mg/kg, oral gavage), melatonin-treated (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and combined PSNP-melatonin. PSNP was administered from gestational day 0 until delivery, while melatonin was given 7-12 days prior to mating and continued throughout gestation. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations, morphometric analyses, assessment of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX, CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and immunohistochemical evaluation of BCL2 and P53 were performed. PSNP exposure resulted in increased thickness of the decidua and junctional zones, elevated MDA levels, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, upregulation of P53, and downregulation of BCL2, indicating enhanced oxidative stress and alterations in apoptosis-related marker expression. Additionally, PSNP exposure reduced litter size while increasing offspring weight. Melatonin administration significantly attenuated oxidative stress, restored antioxidant enzyme activity, modulated the expression of apoptosis-related markers, and improved placental morphology and pregnancy outcomes. These findings suggest that melatonin mitigates PSNP-induced placental damage, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and modulating apoptosis-related signaling. In conclusion, melatonin may stabilize the uterine-placental microenvironment under PSNP-induced environmental stress, highlighting its potential protective role in maternal-fetal health and its relevance for future translational and clinical investigations.
More Papers Like This
Micro/nanoplastic threats to human and animal health: mitigation strategies with melatonin
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This review covers how micro- and nanoplastics and additives such as phthalates cause oxidative stress and inflammation in cells. It then discusses melatonin, a hormone and antioxidant, as one candidate for countering that damage. The authors note that methods tried so far have not been entirely successful.
Melatonin Defends Against the Oxidative Stress by Preventing the Uptake of Nanoplastics and Activating the Antioxidant System in Paeonia ostii.
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Scientists found that melatonin (a natural hormone) can protect plants from tiny plastic particles by blocking them from entering plant cells and reducing harmful damage inside the plant. This matters because these microscopic plastics are spreading everywhere in our environment and getting into our food chain. While this study only looked at plants, it suggests melatonin might help protect living things from plastic pollution - though more research is needed to know if this applies to humans.
Melatonin counteracts polyethylene microplastics induced adreno-cortical damage in male albino rats
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Male rats were given polyethylene microplastics at two doses, with or without melatonin. The study is the first to look at the adrenal gland, and it found toxic effects there. Rats that also received melatonin showed less adrenal damage.
Melatonin Alleviates the Damage of Polystyrene Microplastics to Porcine Oocytes by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Damage, and Regulating Autophagy and Apoptosis Levels
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Researchers investigated whether the antioxidant melatonin could protect porcine oocytes from damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. The study found that microplastics at 30 micrograms per milliliter significantly impaired oocyte maturation, but melatonin treatment helped alleviate this damage by reducing oxidative stress, protecting mitochondrial function, and regulating autophagy and cell death pathways.
Exploring Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Dysregulation in Lung Tissues of Offspring Rats Exposed to Prenatal Polystyrene Microplastics: Effects of Melatonin Treatment
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Researchers found that rat pups exposed to polystyrene microplastics before birth showed significant oxidative stress and metabolic disruption in their lung tissues. The prenatal exposure altered nucleic acid metabolism and amino acid profiles in the lungs of newborn pups. Encouragingly, treatment with melatonin significantly improved lung function and reduced tissue damage in the affected offspring.
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