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Microplastics Accumulation Induces Kynurenine-Derived Neurotoxicity in Cerebral Organoids and Mouse Brain
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Researchers found that microplastics accumulate in brain tissue in both lab-grown brain models and mice, where they trigger a toxic pathway that produces harmful compounds called kynurenines, leading to brain inflammation and DNA damage. This study provides a specific biological mechanism for how microplastics could contribute to brain damage and neurological problems in humans.
Microplastics (MP) are pervasive environmental pollutants with potential adverse effects on human health, particularly concerning neurotoxicity. This study investigates the accumulation and neurotoxic effects of MP in cerebral organoids and mouse brains. Utilizing in vitro cerebral organoids and in vivo mouse models, we examined the penetration of MP, revealing that smaller MP (50 nm) infiltrated deeper into the organoids compared to larger ones (100 nm). Exposure to 50 nm MP resulted in a significant reduction in organoid viability. Furthermore, total RNA sequencing indicated substantial alterations in neurotoxicity-related gene expression. In vivo, MP-treated mice exhibited notable DNA fragmentation in the hippocampus and cortex, alongside elevated levels of inflammatory markers and neurotoxic metabolites, such as kynurenine (KYN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK). Our findings suggest that MP may promote neurotoxicity through the kynurenine pathway, leading to heightened levels of neurotoxic compounds like quinolinic acid. This research highlights the potential for MP to induce neuroinflammatory responses and disrupt normal brain function, underscoring the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of MP exposure on neurological health.
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Researchers synthesized evidence that micro- and nanoplastics can accumulate in human brain tissue via multiple barrier-crossing routes and, once there, disrupt synaptic function, mitochondrial homeostasis, and neuroinflammatory pathways relevant to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and mood disorders — while emphasizing that longitudinal epidemiological evidence linking plastic exposure to neurological disease remains limited.
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This review examines the growing evidence that microplastics can cross biological barriers, accumulate in brain tissue, and affect neurological function. Researchers found that microplastic exposure has been linked to neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in the brain, with potential implications for neurotransmitter systems and cognitive function. The study calls for comprehensive regulatory measures to limit microplastic pollution and further research into the long-term neurological health effects.
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