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Effects of polystyrene microplastics on mice cardiac tissue structure: Protective role of resveratrol

Chemosphere 2025 2 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Somaye Zangene, Samaneh Goorani, Hassan Morovvati, Hojat Anbara

Summary

Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics for 90 days and found that the particles caused significant oxidative stress and structural damage to heart tissue. However, when mice also received resveratrol, a natural antioxidant compound found in grapes and berries, much of the cardiac damage was prevented. The study suggests that antioxidant compounds may offer some protective benefit against microplastic-induced heart tissue damage.

Polymers
Body Systems
Models

Microplastics, as ubiquitous environmental particles, can influence cardiac function both directly and indirectly. We examined the beneficial effects of resveratrol on the cardiotoxicity induced by 2-μm polystyrene microplastics in murine models. Male NMRI mice (n = 27) Control, PS-MPs (1 mg/kg), and PS-MPs + RV (1 mg/kg PS-MPs+2.5 mg/kg RV) were randomly grouped into three. Histological and antioxidant parameters were assessed after 90 days of exposure. Our findings indicated that PS-MPs induce toxicity via oxidative stress, catalase (CAT), Total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and a reduction in glutathione (GSH) levels, while concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased relative to controls. We also found that cardiac abnormality in PS-MPs treated mice was accompanied by reduced antioxidant capacity, elevated oxidative stress, and elevated apoptotic signaling. Nevertheless, the protective effects of RV against disruptions in endoplasmic reticulum stress and antioxidant profiles resulting from PS-MPs exposure were evident, as RV normalized HSP40, HSP25, and HSP70 levels and enhanced antioxidant defenses. This implies that RV is a promising protective agent against toxicity induced by environmental contaminants such as microplastics.

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