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Combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and perfluorobutane sulfonate on mouse liver: Impact on lipid metabolism and gut-liver axis disruption
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This study examined what happens when mice are exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and PFBS (a type of "forever chemical") at the same time. The combination caused significantly worse liver damage than either pollutant alone, disrupting fat metabolism and triggering gut bacteria imbalances that further harmed the liver through the gut-liver connection. These findings are concerning because microplastics can absorb PFAS chemicals in the environment, meaning people may often be exposed to both together.
Microplastics (MPs) in the environment can adsorb perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), leading to combined toxicity in various organisms. Most researches have focused on single-exposure effects on mouse liver, with limited studies on the mechanisms behind the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). This study analyzed the single and combined toxic effects of PS-MPs (10 mg/kg) and PFBS (30 mg/kg PFBSL or 300 mg/kg PFBSH) on mouse liver. Results indicated that PFBS was adsorbed by PS-MPs, affecting PFBS accumulation. Co-exposure significantly increased liver injury biomarkers in serum, associated with heightened oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. Metabolomics analyses revealed that the co-exposure had the most pronounced impact on lipid metabolism disorders, followed by PFBS and PS-MPs. Additionally, exposure to PS-MPs and PFBS induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut barrier disruption, disturbing lipid metabolism - particularly bile acids and short-chain fatty acids - along the gut-liver axis, thereby causing liver injury. Notably, co-exposure, particularly with high-concentration PFBS, significantly aggravated these effects. This study highlights the combined effects of PS-MPs and PFBS on liver function though lipid metabolism disorders and gut-liver axis imbalance, providing valuable insights into the health risks associated with these pollutants.
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Combined exposure to polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene microplastics induces liver injury and perturbs gut microbial and serum metabolic homeostasis in mice
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Mice exposed to a combination of PVC and polystyrene microplastics for 60 days developed liver damage, gut barrier breakdown, and disrupted gut bacteria. The co-exposure also raised cholesterol and triglyceride levels in both blood and liver, and altered hundreds of metabolites related to fat metabolism. Since people are typically exposed to multiple types of microplastics simultaneously, this study suggests the combined effects may be worse than exposure to a single type alone.
Co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and perfluorooctanoic acid can exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and liver damage in adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics and the persistent pollutant PFOA separately and together for 28 days, finding that combined exposure caused greater intestinal barrier breakdown, liver damage, lipid metabolism disruption, and gut microbiome dysbiosis than either contaminant alone — raising concerns about nonalcoholic fatty liver disease risk from co-occurring plastic and chemical pollution.
Combined exposure with microplastics increases the toxic effects of PFOS and its alternative F-53B in adult zebrafish
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Researchers found that when zebrafish were exposed to microplastics along with PFOS or its replacement chemical F-53B (both are "forever chemicals"), the combined toxic effects were worse than either pollutant alone. The microplastics worsened liver inflammation, disrupted energy metabolism, and altered gut bacteria. This is relevant to human health because people are simultaneously exposed to both microplastics and PFAS chemicals through food and water.
Gut–Liver Axis Mediates the Combined Hepatointestinal Toxicity of Triclosan and Polystyrene Microplastics in Mice: Implications for Human Co-Exposure Risks
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Mice co-exposed to the antimicrobial triclosan and polystyrene microplastics showed markedly worse intestinal and liver damage than those exposed to either contaminant alone, with gut microbiome disruption identified as a key mediating mechanism.
Combined Enterohepatic Toxicity of Polystyrene Microplastics and Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate in Mice: Gut Microbiota-Dependent Synergistic Effects
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Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and the plasticizer DEHP in mice, focusing on gut-liver axis effects. They found that co-exposure worsened harmful outcomes compared to either pollutant alone, with gut microbiota playing a key mediating role in the synergistic toxicity. The study suggests that microplastics and their associated chemical additives may interact to amplify health risks through disruption of the gut-liver connection.
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