We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Ferroptosis: First evidence in premature duck ovary induced by polyvinyl chloride microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered that polyvinyl chloride microplastics caused premature ovarian damage in ducks through a cell death process called ferroptosis, which involves iron-dependent oxidative damage. Higher microplastic concentrations led to iron accumulation, increased oxidative stress, and structural damage to ovarian tissue. This is the first evidence linking microplastic exposure to ferroptosis in the avian reproductive system.
Ferroptosis is frequently observed in fibrosis and diseases related to iron metabolism disorders in various mammalian organs. However, research regarding the damage mechanism of ferroptosis in the female reproductive system of avian species remains unclear. In this study, Muscovy female ducks were divided into three groups which were given purified water, 1 mg/L polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) and 10 mg/L PVC-MPs for two months respectively, to investigate the ferroptosis induced by PVC-MPs caused ovarian tissue fibrosis that lead to premature ovarian failure. The results showed that the high accumulation of PVC-MPs in ovarian tissue affected the morphology and functional activity of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) and subsequently caused the follicular development disorders and down-regulated the immunosignaling of ovarian steroidogenesis proteins 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), CYP11A1 cytochrome (P450-11A1) and CYP17A1 cytochrome (P450-17A1) suggested impaired ovarian function. In addition, PVC-MPs significantly up-regulated positive expression of collagen fibers, significantly increased lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, along with encouraged overload of iron contents in the ovarian tissue were the characteristics of ferroptosis. Further, immunohistochemistry results confirmed that immunosignaling of ferroptosis related proteins Acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL4), Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) were significantly increased, but solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) were decreased by PVC-MPs in the ovarian tissue. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that PVC-MPs induced ferroptosis in the ovarian GCs, leading to follicle development disorders and ovarian tissue fibrosis, and ultimately contributing to various female reproductive disorders through regulating the proteins expression of ferroptosis.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene nanoplastic exposure actives ferroptosis by oxidative stress-induced lipid peroxidation in porcine oocytes during maturation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics trigger ferroptosis — a form of iron-dependent cell death driven by fat oxidation — in pig egg cells, disrupting their maturation and reproductive viability. This finding raises concerns about nanoplastic exposure potentially impairing fertility by damaging the eggs needed for reproduction.
Preliminary evidence of polyvinyl chloride microplastics inducing ferroptosis in the cerebral cortex of ducks
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that when ducks drank water containing PVC microplastics (a common plastic found in pipes, packaging, and other everyday items), the plastic particles built up in their brains, weakened the protective barrier that shields the brain from harmful substances, and triggered a harmful type of cell death linked to iron buildup and damage. While this study was done in ducks, not humans, it adds to growing evidence that ingesting microplastics may harm the brain — a concern worth watching as research on human exposure continues.
The mechanism of vascular injury caused by polystyrene microplastics: Involving ferroptosis and metabolomics
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice exposed to microplastics showed damaged blood vessels, worse cholesterol levels, and a type of cell death called ferroptosis (basically cells dying from oxidative damage). A drug that blocked this cell death reduced the vessel damage, hinting that microplastics may harm heart and blood vessel health, though this was shown in mice, not yet confirmed in humans.
Understanding the mechanistic roles of microplastics combined with heavy metals in regulating ferroptosis: Adding new paradigms regarding the links with diseases
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores the emerging connection between microplastics combined with heavy metals and a type of cell death called ferroptosis, which involves iron-dependent damage to cell membranes. Researchers found that both microplastics and heavy metals can independently trigger ferroptosis, and their combined presence may amplify this effect in organs like the liver, kidneys, and brain. The study suggests that understanding this cell death pathway could provide new insights into how environmental pollutant mixtures contribute to disease.
New insights into the spleen injury by mitochondrial dysfunction of chicken under polystyrene microplastics stress
AI summary Read the abstract
Chickens exposed to polystyrene microplastics in their drinking water developed significant spleen damage, with higher doses causing worse effects. The microplastics disrupted mitochondrial function in spleen cells, triggering both apoptosis (programmed cell death) and ferroptosis (iron-dependent cell death), along with harmful oxidative stress. These findings are relevant to human health because the spleen plays an important role in immune function, and similar damage pathways could potentially occur in people exposed to microplastics.
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.