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Biotoxicity of silver nanoparticles complicated by the co-existence of micro-/nano-plastics
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Researchers gave mice a 90-day oral exposure to silver nanoparticles combined with either micro- or nano-sized polystyrene plastics and found that the plastic particles worsened the toxicity of the silver. Evidence indicates that nanoplastics may be particularly concerning because their smaller size allows them to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause neuronal damage.
Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and polystyrene (PS) plastics have been broadly utilized in various field, e.g., food storage, packaging materials, and medical therapies. However, investigation on the potential biotoxicity induced by the co-exposure to AgNP and PS plastics remains understudied. Thus, we performed this study to examine the toxicological profile of the co-exposure to AgNP and PS in mice. Biochemical and microbial characterizations were performed in mice receiving 90-day oral gavage feeding to examine the hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, inflammatory responses, gut microbial alterations. It has been found that the presence of plastic particles aggravates the toxicity of silver nanoparticle materials. Regardless of the plastic type and size, energy and choline metabolisms will be altered by the co-exposures. Moreover, microplastics may induce cell damage by modulating fatty acid peroxidation in unison with stimulating inflammatory responses. Due to the smaller size of nanoplastics, they may pass through blood-brain barrier to induce neuronal damage and increase vascular risks. Changes in the microbial functional abundances are sensitive to the microplastics doses. These results support the necessity of reducing the co-exposure between AgNP and multiscale plastics, and advocate further developments of biodegradable package materials to improve food safety.
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Human lymphocyte cells exposed to a mixture of silver nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics showed greater cytotoxicity than cells exposed to either material alone, indicating synergistic toxicity. The findings are relevant to human health because both types of nanoparticles are increasingly present in the environment and in consumer products.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics as Carriers of Metals. Interactions of Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Silver Nanoparticles and Silver Nitrate, and Their Effects on Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells
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Researchers investigated whether polystyrene nanoplastics can act as carriers of silver contaminants, testing their interactions with silver nanoparticles and silver nitrate and their combined effects on human intestinal Caco-2 cells. The study found that nanoplastics can adsorb silver compounds and that the combined exposure increased toxicity compared to either contaminant alone, suggesting nanoplastics may enhance metal uptake in the human gut.
Cytotoxic effects of commonly used nanomaterials and microplastics on cerebral and epithelial human cells
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Researchers tested the toxicity of common nanomaterials and microplastics on human brain and epithelial cells, measuring oxidative stress and cell viability. They found that silver nanoparticles and polystyrene microplastics were among the most cytotoxic materials tested, and that mixtures of contaminants could produce synergistic harmful effects. The findings raise concerns about the combined health impacts of microplastics and other pollutants that coexist in aquatic environments.
Microplastics and nanoplastics with co-contaminants: A comprehensive review of neurotoxic effects
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Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics act as vectors for heavy metals, phthalates, pharmaceuticals, and flame retardants, with combined exposures triggering oxidative stress, neurotransmitter disruption, and blood-brain barrier damage in fish and rodent models — calling for integrated toxicological assessments that account for synergistic effects at realistic environmental concentrations.
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