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Comparative impact of polystyrene, rice bag-derived high-density polyethylene nanoparticles, and polystyrene–silver nanoparticle interactions in a 28-day in vivo study in male and female Wistar rats
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Researchers gave rats daily doses of plastic nanoparticles for 28 days and found subtle signs of DNA damage, cholesterol changes, and liver stress — with females showing greater sensitivity in lipid metabolism and males experiencing reduced testicular weight from HDPE plastic nanoparticles. The study highlights that the health effects of nanoplastics differ by sex and can be worsened when multiple types of nanoparticles are mixed together.
Exposure to plastic nanoparticles (PNPs) has become a significant public health and environmental concern due to their pervasive presence and potential toxic effects. However, the long-term effects of different PNPs types, their interactions with other nanoparticles, and effects across sexes, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate sex-specific physiological, biochemical, and genotoxic effects of chronic exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs), silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), high-density polyethylene nanoparticles (HDPE-NPs) isolated from food packaging, and a mixture of PS-NPs and AgNPs in male and female rats. Nanoparticles were administered daily for 28 days via oral gavage, after which selected systemic, metabolic, and genotoxic endpoints were assessed. Despite no overt systemic toxicity or major liver damage, we found changes in cholesterol levels, especially in females, and signs of DNA damage, suggesting potential genotoxicity. The combination of PS-NPs/AgNPs triggered liver stress responses, implying additive or synergistic effects. Importantly, females showed greater sensitivity in terms of lipid metabolism, whereas HDPE-NPs-treated male group reduced testicular weight. These findings underscore the necessity of including both sexes in nanoparticle toxicity studies and highlight the need for a better understanding of the health risks of nanoplastics and their interactions with other co-occurring contaminants under realistic exposure conditions.
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic exposure in Wistar rats caused significant alterations in lipid profiles and increased oxidative stress markers, with effects varying between male and female rats and between pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam forms.
The emerging risk of exposure to nano(micro)plastics on endocrine disturbance and reproductive toxicity: From a hypothetical scenario to a global public health challenge
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Researchers administered polystyrene nanoplastics orally to male rats for five weeks and found significant reductions in testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, sperm DNA damage, altered testicular gene expression, and dose-dependent histological lesions, indicating that nanoplastic exposure disrupts the hormonal axis governing male reproductive function.
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Scientists fed rats different combinations of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles found in food and water) and found that a mix of both particle sizes caused more liver damage, kidney damage, and DNA damage than either type alone, even at the lowest dose tested. This matters because in the real world, we're likely exposed to a mix of plastic particle sizes, not just one, suggesting that current safety testing on single particle types may underestimate the actual risk to our health.
Developmental Effects of Intrauterine and Lactational Exposure to Nanoplastics and Phthalates on Rat Testis
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A new study found that when pregnant rats were exposed to nanoplastics and phthalates (chemicals found in plastics), their male offspring showed lasting damage to testicle development, including changes to sperm-producing cells and increased oxidative stress that persisted into adulthood. The combination of both chemicals caused more harm than either one alone, suggesting that real-world exposure to multiple plastic-related pollutants during pregnancy could pose bigger risks to male reproductive health than scientists previously realized—though more research is needed to confirm these effects translate to humans.
Perinatal exposure to polystyrene microplastics: biometric, hormonal and behavioral parameters of male and female Wistar rats at weaning, puberty and adulthood.
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Scientists exposed pregnant rats to tiny plastic particles (like those found in human placenta and breast milk) and found lasting effects on their offspring's hormones, cholesterol, and behavior, male offspring became more anxious and ate less fatty food, while females ate more as adults. Since microplastics are already showing up in our bodies, this animal study raises concern that early-life plastic exposure could disrupt hormone balance and eating behaviors differently in males and females, though more research is needed to confirm this happens in humans too.
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