We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sex-based differences in toxicity after exposure to microplastics or nanoplastics in aquatic and terrestrial organisms: A systematic review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review found consistent sex-based differences in how organisms respond to micro- and nanoplastic exposure, with females often showing greater reproductive and hormonal vulnerability. These findings suggest that microplastic health risk assessments should account for biological sex as a variable, which has important implications for understanding human exposure risks.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their widespread presence in the environment and their detrimental effects on organisms. MPs are defined as particles smaller than 5 mm, while NPs are smaller than 1000 nm. These pollutants primarily result from the degradation of plastic waste, industrial processes, and everyday consumer products. This review systematically investigated sex-based differences in toxicity following exposure to MPs and/or NPs in aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched up to September 10, 2024, to identify studies following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 26 original articles published between 2020 and 2024 were included in the review. Among these, 19 studies focused on MPs, five on NPs, and two on MNPs (MPs and NPs) separately. Polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) were the most commonly investigated types. Fish and mice were the most frequently used animal models in exposure studies. The results revealed sex-specific divergences across physiological systems. Males exhibited higher mortality, elevated oxidative stress, and greater susceptibility to immune suppression, whereas females showed increased particle accumulation and a more pronounced decrease in body weight. These effects varied between species, reflecting species-specific differences in response to MNPs. Toxicological outcomes were additionally influenced by particle properties, exposure duration, and concentration. Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of integrating sex as a biological variable and species identity in toxicological assessments, and highlight the need for further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying differential susceptibility to MNPs.
More Papers Like This
Sex-dependent neurotoxicity of environmental toxicants: a narrative review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how endocrine disruptors, particulate matter, and micro/nanoplastics cause sex-dependent neurotoxicity, finding that biological differences between male and female brains shape their vulnerability to these pollutants and that most prior toxicology studies have overlooked sex as a variable, leaving important knowledge gaps for public health policy.
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.
Influence of the reproductive cycle and sex on microplastic toxicity in mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how sex and reproductive stage affect the toxicity of plastic leachates in mussels, finding that biological factors like reproductive cycle significantly influence how marine invertebrates respond to plastic chemical contamination.
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.
Sex-dependent variations in the immune status of the terrestrial isopod Porcellio laevis (Crustacea, Isopoda) as a response to environmental perturbation: a case of microplastic exposure in soil
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists exposed small soil creatures (isopods, a relative of pill bugs) to microplastics and found that males and females responded differently, females showed immune changes while males showed changes in growth and protein levels, even at low microplastic doses. While this study is about bugs, not people, it's a reminder that microplastics can quietly affect living things' internal biology in ways that differ by sex, a factor scientists are increasingly finding matters when studying how these tiny plastic particles might affect human health too.
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.