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In vivo hepatic effects and post-exposure recovery following polyethylene terephthalate microplastic ingestion in Swiss Albino mice ( Mus musculus )

Drug and Chemical Toxicology 2025
Mayuri Manoj Verlekar, Ankit Sinha, Avelyno D’Costa

Summary

Swiss albino mice ingested two concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics for 14 days, followed by a 7-day recovery period, and researchers assessed liver enzyme activity and tissue damage. PET-MPs caused significant hepatotoxicity at both concentrations, with partial—but incomplete—recovery of liver function after the exposure period ended.

Polymers
Body Systems
Models
Study Type In vivo

The study focuses on the in vivo toxicity of two concentrations of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) microplastics (MPs) (average size 30.22 ± 10.21 µm; 1 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL in distilled water) in Swiss Albino mice after 14 days of exposure via their feeding bottles, followed by a depuration period of 7 days. After 14 days of exposure, PET-MPs induced significant effects on the activities of Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) in the liver (p < 0.001). Additionally, the levels of total carbohydrates, total proteins, Reduced Glutathione (GSH) and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were also significantly altered (p < 0.001; p < 0.01 for proteins). Upon completion of the depuration phase, parameters largely reverted to baseline although several remained statistically distinct from the control values, except for GSH and TBARS. Genotoxicity assessed by the comet assay was not observed with the concentrations used in the study.

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