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Generation of environmentally persistent free radicals on photoaged tire wear particles and their neurotoxic effects on neurotransmission in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Tire wear particles, a common type of microplastic found on roads and in waterways, become more toxic after exposure to sunlight. This study found that sunlight-aged tire particles generate persistent free radicals that damaged the nervous system of test organisms, reducing movement and lowering levels of key brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These findings suggest that weathered tire particles may pose a greater neurotoxic risk than fresh ones.
Tire wear particles (TWP) are a prevalent form of microplastics (MPs) extensively distributed in the environment, raising concerns about their environmental behaviors and risks. However, knowledge regarding the properties and toxicity of these particles at environmentally relevant concentrations, specifically regarding the role of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) generated during TWP photoaging, remains limited. In this study, the evolution of EPFRs on TWP under different photoaging times and their adverse effects on Caenorhabditis elegans were systematically investigated. The photoaging process primarily resulted in the formation of EPFRs and reactive oxygen species (O2•-, ⋅OH, and 1O2), altering the physicochemical properties of TWP. The exposure of nematodes to 100 μg/L of TWP-50 (TWP with a photoaging time of 50 d) led to a significant decrease in locomotory behaviors (e.g., head thrashes, body bends, and wavelength) and neurotransmitter contents (e.g., dopamine, glutamate, and serotonin). Similarly, the expression of neurotransmission-related genes was reduced in nematodes exposed to TWP-50. Furthermore, the addition of free-radical inhibitors significantly suppressed TWP-induced neurotoxicity. Notably, correlation analysis revealed a significantly negative correlation between EPFRs levels and the locomotory behaviors and neurotransmitter contents of nematodes. Thus, it was concluded that EPFRs on photoaged TWP induce neurotoxicity by affecting neurotransmission. These findings elucidate the toxicity effects and mechanisms of EPFRs, emphasizing the importance of considering their contributions when evaluating the environmental risks associated with TWP.
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In Vitro Assessment Reveals the Effects of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals on the Toxicity of Photoaged Tire Wear Particles
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Researchers examined how tire wear particles change when exposed to sunlight and found that the aging process generates environmentally persistent free radicals on their surfaces. These radicals significantly increased the toxicity of the particles in laboratory cell tests, causing oxidative stress and DNA damage. The study suggests that weathered tire particles may be more harmful than freshly released ones, adding a new dimension to microplastic pollution concerns.
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Researchers found that when polystyrene nanoplastics age under sunlight, they generate environmentally persistent free radicals on their surface that make them significantly more toxic to the nervous system. Using the model organism C. elegans, they showed that aged nanoplastics disrupted movement and reduced levels of key neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA. The study suggests that weathered nanoplastics in the environment may pose greater neurological risks than freshly produced particles.
Environmentally persistent free radicals on photoaging microplastics shortens longevity via inducing oxidative stress in Caenorhabditis elegans
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Researchers found that microplastics aged by sunlight develop persistent free radicals on their surface that are more toxic than fresh microplastics. In experiments with a common laboratory worm, these sun-aged microplastics caused significant oxidative stress and shortened lifespan. This is important because most microplastics in the real world have been exposed to sunlight, meaning their actual health risks may be greater than studies using brand-new plastic particles would suggest.
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