We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Perinatal exposure to nano-polystyrene: deleterious imprinting on inflammatory bowel diseases
AI summary Read the abstract
When pregnant and nursing mice were fed tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics, like those found in our food and water), their offspring grew up with a higher risk of severe gut inflammation later in life, even though the exposure happened only early on. This suggests that plastic exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding could set the stage for digestive diseases like colitis much later in life, raising concerns about how early-life plastic exposure might affect human gut health long-term.
The extent of production and use of plastics leads to release of nanoplastics (NPL) into the environment, where they undergo weathering that could alter their toxicological properties. NPL enter the human food chain via contaminated food, and food packaging, and within the body they are known to pass through epithelial barriers. In parallel to the increasing exposure to plastics, the incidence of non-communicable diseases, including intestinal diseases, is rising worldwide. This study focuses on how oral exposure of gestating and lactating female mice to 50 nm polystyrene beads, pristine (PS50) or weathered (PS50w) affects intestinal function in offspring. Two aspects of intestinal function were studied: oral tolerance and the onset of intestinal disorders. Gestating mice received 1.25 mg of PS50 or PS50w by oral gavage administered daily from gestational day 15. Exposure was continued during lactation until pups were weaned (Postnatal Day, PND21). To study oral tolerance, offspring were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) both orally and systemically. To study intestinal disorders, colitis was induced by exposure to Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) from PND63. Perinatal exposure to PS50 or PS50w had no impact on mortality of gestating or lactating dams or sex ratio in litters, but did lead to increased body weight at PND63 in offspring. No impact on tolerance to OVA was observed. However, macroscopic scores for DSS-induced colitis in adult offspring were significantly worsened in both sexes. In this context, in male offspring, PS50w was more deleterious than PS50. Early-life exposure to PS50 or PS50w has long-lasting consequences on gut physiology, and effects show sexual dimorphism. The results presented raise questions on the kinetics of later-life effects linked to perinatal PS50 and PS50w exposure, and introduce the notion of imprinting.
More Papers Like This
Deleterious imprinting of perinatal exposure to nano-polystyrene on inflammatory bowel diseases
AI summary Read the abstract
Perinatal exposure to nano-polystyrene in mice produced long-lasting imprinting effects on inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility, with offspring showing heightened intestinal inflammation in adulthood. The study demonstrated that early-life plastic nanoparticle exposure can permanently alter immune system programming with consequences for chronic gut disease.
Influence of Microplastics on Morphological Manifestations of Experimental Acute Colitis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed polystyrene microplastics to mice for six weeks and found that healthy mice developed changes in their colon lining, including altered mucus composition and immune cell populations. When mice with experimentally induced colitis also consumed microplastics, their intestinal inflammation was significantly more severe. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may worsen inflammatory bowel conditions.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a colitis mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed colitis mouse models to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics to test whether MNP exposure worsens inflammatory bowel disease, finding that MNPs altered biodistribution and exacerbated inflammatory responses in animals with pre-existing gut inflammation.
Early-life exposure to phthalates and nanoplastics alters gut microbiota and intestinal morphophysiology in rat dams and male offspring
AI summary Read the abstract
A study in pregnant rats found that exposure to phthalates (chemicals in plastics) and nanoplastics changed the gut bacteria and intestinal lining in both the mothers and their baby rats, even after the babies were weaned. This matters because it suggests these common plastic pollutants—which humans are also exposed to daily—could disrupt gut health during pregnancy and potentially affect a baby's development, though more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Intergenerational neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in offspring mice is mediated by dysfunctional microbe-gut-brain axis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mother mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy and nursing passed neurological harm to their offspring, with the babies showing brain inflammation, disrupted dopamine and serotonin signaling, and gut microbiome imbalances — suggesting that nanoplastic exposure before birth can damage the developing brain through the gut-brain connection.
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.