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PET microplastics induce lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas
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Researchers exposed pigs to PET microplastics for four weeks and found dose-dependent changes in pancreatic protein profiles, with the higher dose altering 17 proteins involved in fatty acid synthesis, lipid peroxidation, and digestive enzyme production. Free fatty acid levels increased significantly at the higher dose, indicating lipotoxic stress in pancreatic tissue. The study suggests a novel pathway through which microplastics may contribute to metabolic disturbances by impairing pancreatic function.
UNLABELLED: Microplastics are a relatively new discovered environmental hazard that can contribute to the disruption of many physiological processes in the organism. There is evidence that they affect the physiology of the pancreas, but research in this area remains limited. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effects of PET microplastics on the global proteomic profile of the pancreas using LC–MS/MS analysis, with the pig as a model organism. The pigs were treated either with a low (0.1 g/day) or a high dose (1 g/day) of PET microplastics for four weeks. The analysis revealed that PET microplastics affected protein abundance in a dose-dependent manner – the low dose altered the abundance of 7 proteins, while the high dose – 17. The differentially regulated proteins were involved in fatty acid biosynthesis (FASN, KAS), lipid peroxidation (CBR1) and digestive enzyme production (trypsinogen). Complementary colorimetric assays confirmed a significant increase in free fatty acids under the influence of a high dose of PET microplastics. Taken together, these results indicate that PET microplastics may affect oxidative status, induce lipotoxic stress and impair pancreatic exocrine function, suggesting a novel pathway through which microplastics may cause metabolic disturbances. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-025-12507-8.
More Papers Like This
PET microplastics induce lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used proteomic analysis to study the effects of PET microplastics on the porcine pancreas after four weeks of exposure at low and high doses. The study found that PET microplastics induced lipotoxicity in the pancreas, disrupting lipid metabolism pathways and suggesting that microplastic ingestion may affect pancreatic function through altered protein expression profiles.
PET microplastics induce lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used proteomic analysis to study the effects of PET microplastics on the porcine pancreas after four weeks of exposure at low and high doses. The study found that PET microplastics induced lipotoxicity in the pancreas, disrupting lipid metabolism pathways and suggesting that microplastic ingestion may affect pancreatic function through altered protein expression profiles.
Additional file 1 of PET microplastics induce lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper provides supplementary material for research on PET microplastic-induced lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas. The parent study found that PET microplastics disrupted lipid metabolism and protein expression profiles in pig pancreatic tissue after four weeks of exposure.
Additional file 1 of PET microplastics induce lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper provides supplementary material for research on PET microplastic-induced lipotoxicity in the porcine pancreas. The parent study found that PET microplastics disrupted lipid metabolism and protein expression profiles in pig pancreatic tissue after four weeks of exposure.
PET microplastics increase the risk of insulin resistance and pancreatitis
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Researchers fed young piglets PET microplastics for four weeks and found significant metabolic changes in their pancreatic tissue, including disrupted fat metabolism and signs of inflammation. Piglets receiving the higher dose showed tissue changes consistent with early pancreatitis, and both dose groups showed markers associated with insulin resistance. The study suggests that microplastic exposure in developing organisms may affect pancreatic function, though more research is needed to understand implications for humans.
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