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Vertebrate response to microplastics, nanoplastics and co-exposed contaminants: Assessing accumulation, toxicity, behaviour, physiology, and molecular changes
Summary
This review summarizes research on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect vertebrate animals, finding that these particles can cross biological barriers, accumulate in organs including the brain, and cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and behavioral changes. A major concern highlighted is transgenerational harm, where toxic effects appear in offspring that were never directly exposed. The review underscores the need for more research on long-term, low-dose exposure that mirrors real-world human conditions.
Pollution from microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) has gained significant public attention and has become a serious environmental problem worldwide. This review critically investigates MPs/NPs' ability to pass through biological barriers in vertebrate models and accumulate in various organs, including the brain. After accumulation, these particles can alter individuals' behaviour and exhibit toxic effects by inducing oxidative stress or eliciting an inflammatory response. One major concern is the possibility of transgenerational harm, in which toxic consequences are displayed in offspring who are not directly exposed to MPs/NPs. Due to their large and marked surface hydrophobicity, these particles can easily absorb and concentrate various environmental pollutants, which may increase their toxicity to individuals and subsequent generations. This review systematically provides an analysis of recent studies related to the toxic effects of MPs/NPs, highlighting the intricate interplay between co-contaminants in vitro and in vivo. We further delve into mechanisms of MPs/NPs-induced toxicity and provide an overview of potential therapeutic approaches to lessen the negative effects of these MPs/NPs. The review also emphasizes the urgency of future studies to examine the long-term effects of chronic exposure to MPs/NPs and their size- and type-specific hazardous dynamics, and devising approaches to safeguard the affected organisms.