We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene Microplastics Can Aggravate the Damage of the Intestinal Microenvironment Caused by Okadaic Acid: A Prevalent Algal Toxin
Summary
Researchers examined how polystyrene microplastics worsen the intestinal damage caused by okadaic acid, a common algal toxin found in seafood. Using human intestinal cells and gut bacteria experiments, they found that co-exposure disrupted the gut barrier, increased inflammation, and altered the microbial community more severely than either contaminant alone. The findings suggest that microplastics may amplify the health risks of naturally occurring marine toxins in our food supply.
As emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) may pose a threat to human health. Their co-exposure with the widespread phycotoxin okadaic acid (OA), a marine toxin known to cause gastrointestinal toxicity, may exacerbate health risk and raise public safety concern. In this study, the toxicity mechanisms of MPs and OA on intestinal microenvironment was explored using human Caco-2 cells as the model, which was combined with an in vitro fecal fermentation experiment. Our results showed that co-exposure to MPs (80 μg/mL) and OA (20 ng/mL) significantly decreased cell viability, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, elevated lactate dehydrogenase release, impaired ABC transporter activity, promoted OA accumulation, and triggered inflammatory response compared to the control, MPs, and OA groups, indicating that co-exposure directly compromises intestinal epithelial integrity. In vitro fermentation experiments revealed that co-exposure disrupted gut microbial composition, decreasing the relative abundance of some bacteria, such as Parasutterella and Adlercreutzia, while increasing opportunistic pathogens, such as Escherichia-Shigella, increased. These findings provide new insights into the impact and underlying mechanisms of MPs and OA co-exposure on intestinal homeostasis, highlighting the potential health risks associated with MPs.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastics exacerbated the toxicity of okadaic acid to the small intestine in mice
Researchers studied the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and okadaic acid, a marine toxin, on the small intestines of mice. They found that co-exposure significantly worsened intestinal damage compared to either contaminant alone, increasing oxidative stress and disrupting the gut barrier. The study suggests that microplastics may amplify the harmful effects of naturally occurring marine toxins when both are consumed through seafood.
Polystyrene nanoplastics promote the apoptosis in Caco-2 cells induced by okadaic acid more than microplastics
Researchers compared how polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics interact with the marine toxin okadaic acid in human intestinal cells. They found that nanoplastics enhanced the toxicity of okadaic acid significantly more than microplastics, triggering endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell death through calcium overload. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may amplify the harmful effects of co-occurring environmental toxins in the digestive system.
Polystyrene microplastics aggravate inflammatory damage in mice with intestinal immune imbalance
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused significantly worse inflammatory damage in mice that already had compromised intestinal immune systems compared to healthy mice. The microplastics increased inflammatory markers, disrupted gut bacteria, and caused more severe tissue damage in the vulnerable animals. The study suggests that individuals with pre-existing gut health issues may be more susceptible to the harmful effects of microplastic exposure.
Toxic impacts of polystyrene nanoplastics and PCB77 in blunt snout bream: Evidence from tissue morphology, oxidative stress and intestinal microbiome
Researchers studied the combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and a persistent organic pollutant (PCB77) in freshwater fish. They found that co-exposure caused worse tissue damage, higher oxidative stress, and greater disruption to gut bacteria than either contaminant alone. The study highlights that microplastics can worsen the harmful effects of other environmental pollutants when organisms are exposed to both simultaneously.
Ingested Polystyrene Micro-Nanoplastics Increase the Absorption of Co-Ingested Arsenic and Boscalid in an In Vitro Triculture Small Intestinal Epithelium Model
Researchers used an advanced intestinal cell model to study whether ingesting polystyrene micro-nanoplastics alongside environmental pollutants like arsenic and boscalid changes how those contaminants are absorbed. They found that the presence of microplastics significantly increased the intestinal uptake of both co-ingested pollutants. The study suggests that microplastics may act as carriers that enhance human exposure to other harmful chemicals through the diet.