We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Lung effects of acute oral administration of bisphenol A-loaded low-density polyethylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Rats were given acute oral doses of bisphenol A-loaded low-density polyethylene microplastics to assess lung effects, given that microplastics carrying endocrine-disrupting BPA additives are increasingly found in food. The exposure produced measurable lung tissue changes, suggesting that even single oral doses of additive-loaded microplastics can cause remote organ effects beyond the gastrointestinal tract.
Microplastics are emerging contaminants that ubiquitously occur in foods. Recent evidence in experimental animals indicated that microplastics can be absorbed and accumulated in different organs [1]. Functional plastics carry additives such as bisphenol A (BPA), known to be an endocrine disruptor and an oxidant/proinflammatory agent in its free form. The health impact of the additives occurring in marketed plastics is, however, still unknown. To investigate the potential effects of free and microplastic-adsorbed BPA (average particle size of ca. 110 μm [2]) in rat lung. 20 Wistar female and male adult rats were gavaged with free BPA, polyethylene-adsorbed BPA (PE-BPA), or vehicles (n=4-6). BPA concentration was 2 mg/kg in both groups. Animals were sacrificed after 24 hours, and tissues were collected. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-PCR. The administration of free BPA did not change the expression of markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue repair in the lung. By contrast, the administration of PE-BPA induced the expression of iNos (P<0.05). A trend towards increased Tnf-α (P=0.06) and decreased Il-10 (P=0.07) was observed in PE-BPA rats. Free BPA and PE-BPA effects in oxidative stress and inflammation markers were less prominent in the liver and adipose tissue than in the lung. Finally, PE-BPA induced the expression of Tfg-β (P<0.01) and collagen (P<0.05) in the lungs. BPA-PE administration induced lung damage. PE might accumulate in the lungs thereby facilitating the deleterious effects of BPA. However, we cannot rule out that damage is triggered by PE itself. [1] Deng, Y. et al. Sci Rep 2017; 7, 46687. [2] Fikarová, K. et al. J. Chromatography A 2019, 1602, 160–167.
More Papers Like This
Sub-acute polyethylene microplastic inhalation exposure induced pulmonary toxicity in wistar rats through inflammation and oxidative stress
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed rats to airborne polyethylene microplastics through inhalation for 28 days and found significant signs of lung damage. The exposed animals showed increased inflammation markers, elevated oxidative stress, and tissue changes in the lungs compared to controls. The study provides evidence that breathing in microplastic particles from degraded plastic bags and bottles may cause pulmonary toxicity.
Chronic lung tissue deposition of inhaled polyethylene microplastics may lead to fibrotic lesions
AI summary Read the abstract
In a mouse study, inhaled polyethylene microplastics accumulated in lung tissue over 90 days of repeated exposure, causing chronic inflammation, immune changes, and early signs of lung scarring (fibrosis). Even at the lowest doses, the microplastics triggered inflammatory cell buildup and thickening of lung walls. These findings suggest that long-term breathing of airborne microplastics could lead to permanent lung damage, which is concerning given rising levels of plastic particles in indoor and outdoor air.
Investigation of pulmonary inflammatory responses following intratracheal instillation of and inhalation exposure to polypropylene microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Rats exposed to polypropylene microplastics through both inhalation and direct lung delivery developed inflammatory responses in their lungs, including increased immune cells and tissue changes. Even at relatively low concentrations, the microplastics triggered pulmonary inflammation, supporting concerns that breathing in airborne microplastics could contribute to respiratory health problems in humans.
Deleterious effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on rodent lungs: a systematic review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review summarizes research on how inhaled micro- and nanoplastics affect the lungs in animal studies. The findings show these particles can cause lung inflammation, tissue damage, and immune responses, suggesting that breathing in airborne microplastics may pose real risks to respiratory health.
Pulmonary toxicity of micro- and nano polyethylene particles following intratracheal instillation in rats.
AI summary Read the abstract
When rats breathed in tiny plastic particles (the same polyethylene used in plastic bags and bottles) over several weeks, their lungs showed inflammation, tissue damage, and elevated markers linked to disease — even at the lowest doses tested. This suggests there may be no truly "safe" amount of inhaled plastic particles, though more research is needed to know exactly what this means for humans, since we're regularly exposed to microplastics in air, dust, and everyday products.
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.