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Coexposure to microplastic and Bisphenol A exhacerbates damage to human kidney proximal tubular cells
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This study exposed human kidney cells to polyethylene microplastics and bisphenol A (BPA, a common plastic chemical) together and found the combination was significantly more damaging than either substance alone. The co-exposure reduced cell survival and increased both oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney cells. Since both microplastics and BPA are commonly found in the human body, their combined effect on kidney health is a real concern.
Microplastics (MPs) accumulate in tissues, including kidney tissue, while Bisphenol A (BPA) is a plasticizer of particular concern. At present, the combined effects of MPs and BPA are unexplored in human renal cells. Therefore, we exposed a proximal tubular cell line (PTECs) to polyethylene (PE)-MPs and BPA, both separately and in combination. When co-exposed, cells showed a significantly reduced cell viability (MTT test) and a pronounced pro-oxidant (MDA levels, NRF2 and NOX4 expression by Western blot) and pro-inflammatory response (IL1β, CCL/CCR2 and CCL/CCR5 mRNAs by RT-PCR), compared to those treated with a single compound. In addition, heat shock protein (HSP90), a chaperone involved in multiple cellular functions, was reduced (by Western Blot and immunocytochemistry), while aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) expression, a transcription factor which binds environmental ligands, was increased (RT-PCR and immunofluorescence). Our research can contribute to the study of the nephrotoxic effects of pollutants and MPs and shed new light on the combined effects of BPA and PE-MPs.
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#5502 Pro-inflammatory Effects of Bisphenol a and Polyethylene Microplastics on Human Renal Tubular Cells
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Laboratory experiments showed that both bisphenol A (BPA) and polyethylene microplastics activate inflammatory pathways in human kidney tubular cells, and their combination amplifies this effect through the so-called "Trojan Horse" mechanism. Exposure triggered the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines linked to kidney fibrosis. These findings suggest that combined exposure to microplastics and chemical additives may contribute to the rising global burden of chronic kidney disease.
Synergistic toxicity of PFAS and microplastic mixtures across five human cell lines
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Researchers tested the combined toxicity of PFAS chemicals and microplastics on five types of human cells representing the kidney, liver, prostate, skin, and lung. They found that mixtures of these common environmental contaminants produced synergistic harmful effects, particularly in kidney and liver cells, including increased oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study suggests that the combined exposure to PFAS and microplastics, which frequently co-occur in the environment, may pose greater health risks than either pollutant alone.
Synergistic endocrine disruption and cellular toxicity of polyethylene microplastics and bisphenol A in MLTC-1 cells and zebrafish
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When zebrafish and testicular cells were exposed to polyethylene microplastics and the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) together, the combination caused significantly worse reproductive harm than either pollutant alone, including reduced cell survival and disrupted hormone-producing gene activity. This matters because people are commonly exposed to both microplastics and BPA through food packaging, and their combined effect on reproductive health may be greater than expected.
Single and joint exposure to nanoplastics and bisphenols: a comparative assessment of in vitro hazards
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This study compared the individual and combined toxicity of nanoplastics and bisphenol compounds in biological test systems, finding synergistic effects at certain exposure combinations. The results indicate that co-exposure to these two common plastic-associated contaminants may be more harmful than either alone.
Microplastics and Bisphenol A Coexposure on Human Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells
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Scientists exposed human kidney cells in a lab dish to microplastics and BPA (a chemical found in plastics), both separately and together, to see how they affect kidney health. When combined, these two substances caused more cell damage, stress, and inflammation than either one alone, suggesting that everyday exposure to plastic-related chemicals might team up to harm our kidneys more than we'd expect from studying them individually. While this was a cell study (not in actual humans), it adds to growing evidence that plastic pollution in our bodies could have real consequences for organ health.
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