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Lung retention, distribution and persistence of polymer particles in rats exposed via inhalation
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Researchers studied the fate of inhaled polymer particles in rats by exposing them to polystyrene and polyamide aerosols for 28 days. The study found that both types of particles accumulated in the lungs and migrated to lung-draining lymph nodes, but were not detected in the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The particles persisted in lung tissue for weeks after exposure ended, raising questions about the long-term bioavailability and fate of inhaled microplastics.
Abstract Background Microplastics have been repeatedly detected in the human body, yet uncertainties surround their bioavailability and fate due to experimental challenges and limitations, especially regarding their nano-sized counterparts. Knowing that toxicokinetics information is essential for accurate risk assessment and management, this research aimed to (1) evaluate different sample preparation and quantification methods for nanoplastics particles in mammalian tissue, and (2) investigate the lung retention, bioavailability and fate of these particles. Methods In this study, rats inhaled aerosols with up to 50 mg/m3 of Nile Red-labeled polystyrene (PS-NR) or unlabeled polyamide particles (PA-6) particles for 28 days. The tissues were analyzed for the presence of polymer particles. PS-NR were quantified in formalin-fixed tissue by confocal fluorescence laser microscopy with semi-automatic imaging analysis, and PA-6 particles were quantified in dried tissues by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Results PA-6 deposition was detected and quantified in lung and lymph nodes. Deposition of PS-NR was quantified in lungs and lung-draining lymph nodes, but no particles were detected in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The lung burdens and translocation to the draining lymph nodes were similar for both particles, and particles were still detectable after the end of the exposure periods (five weeks for PS-NR and 13 weeks for PA-6). Conclusions This work highlights limitations and applicability of the various methods for sample preparation, detecting and quantifying polymer particles in mammalian tissues. In addition, it provides reliable data on the internal dose of inhaled polymer particles. Graphical Abstract
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Lung retention, distribution and persistence of polymer particles in rats exposed via inhalation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the fate of inhaled polymer particles in rats by exposing them to polystyrene and polyamide aerosols for 28 days. The study found that both types of particles accumulated in the lungs and migrated to lung-draining lymph nodes, but were not detected in the liver, spleen, or kidneys. The particles persisted in lung tissue for weeks after exposure ended, highlighting potential concerns about long-term retention of inhaled microplastics.
Lung retention, distribution and persistence of polymer particles in rats exposed via inhalation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the fate of inhaled polymer particles in rats by exposing them to polystyrene and polyamide aerosols for 28 days. The study found that both particle types deposited in the lungs and translocated to lung-draining lymph nodes, but were not detected in the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Particles remained detectable weeks after exposure ended, underscoring the persistence of inhaled plastic particles in respiratory tissue.
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