We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sex-specific toxicological observations following 28-day oral gavage exposure to spherical and milled polystyrene nano- and microplastic particles in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice fed tiny plastic particles (like those found in food and water) for a month showed different health effects depending on their sex: males developed more gallbladder inflammation, while females had changes in their gut lining and mucus production. Overall body weight and blood tests looked normal, but the plastic particles did travel into the liver and intestines in both sexes, suggesting that even short-term microplastic exposure may affect male and female bodies differently, which matters as scientists work out what these ubiquitous plastic particles mean for long-term human health.
Abstract Background With the rise in global plastic production, microplastics are an emerging environmental pollutant due to their ubiquitous presence in the environment. Human exposure and the impact of microplastics on human health warrants further research. Recent studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in human tissues and several studies have noted toxicity in mammalian in vitro and in vivo models. In this 28-day gavage study, we investigated the effects of spherical and milled polystyrene nano- and microplastics in both male and female C57BL/6 mice. Results The results showed no significant changes in food consumption, body weights or organ weight coefficients. Additionally, there were no changes in hematological or clinical biochemistry parameters. Histological analysis revealed inflammation in the gallbladder of 9 male mice out of 23 and 2 female mice out of 24 exposed to both spherical and milled polystyrene. The adaptive and innate immune markers showed no major changes; however, pro-inflammatory cytokines were decreased in all polystyrene exposed males. Conversely, female mice exposed to both spherical and milled polystyrene showed mild pathological changes in the small intestine, with changes in goblet cell population and mucus production. The presence of polystyrene was detected in both the liver and intestines of both sexes. Conclusions Sphereical and milled polystyrene particles showed similar toxicological results, but sex-associated differences were noted. Therefore, further research is warranted to explore the potential sex-specific response to microplastic exposure.
More Papers Like This
Sex-Specific Effects of Polystyrene Microplastic and Lead(II) Co-Exposure on the Gut Microbiome and Fecal Metabolome in C57BL/6 Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed male and female mice to a combination of polystyrene microplastics and lead, finding that the effects on gut bacteria and metabolism differed significantly between sexes. Female mice showed greater disruption to their gut microbiome diversity, while different metabolic pathways were affected in each sex. This study is important because it suggests that microplastic health effects may differ between men and women, and that microplastics can make heavy metal exposure worse by carrying metals into the digestive system.
Effects of Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics on the Reproductive System, Intestinal Structure, and Microflora in Male and Female Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed male and female mice to PVC microplastics to study how they affect reproductive health, intestinal tissue, and gut bacteria. The study found that PVC microplastics damaged the reproductive organs and intestinal lining in both sexes, but the specific effects differed between males and females. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure may disrupt gut health and reproductive function in sex-specific ways.
Sex-specific gene expression alterations in response to ingested PVC microplastics in Wistar rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined sex-specific differences in gene expression changes in mice exposed to PVC microplastics via ingestion, finding that male and female animals responded differently at the molecular level. The sex-specific patterns suggest that biological sex may be an important variable in microplastic health risk assessments.
Sex-specific effects of aged polystyrene microplastics on hepatic AMPK pathway activation and lipid droplet accumulation in MAFLD mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how aged polystyrene microplastics affect liver fat metabolism differently in male and female mice with fatty liver disease. They found that while both sexes showed increased inflammation and oxidative stress, only female mice experienced a reduction in liver fat accumulation, potentially linked to estrogen-related metabolic pathways. The study reveals important sex-specific differences in how microplastics interact with metabolic conditions, suggesting that health effects may vary between males and females.
Sex-specific gene expression alterations in response to ingested PVC microplastics in Wistar rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated sex-specific differences in gene expression changes triggered by PVC microplastic ingestion, examining whether males and females show distinct molecular responses to the same plastic exposure. Sex-specific gene expression patterns were identified, suggesting that microplastic toxicity may manifest differently in males and females with implications for health risk assessment.
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.