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Nanoplastics
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Size-dependent translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics across biological barriers in mammals
Nature Communications2025
2 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 58
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Xiaowei Wu,
Hai-Tao Fang,
Hongjie Zhang,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Hai-Tao Fang,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Ping Wang,
Ke-Da Zhang,
Sicheng Li,
Ke-Da Zhang,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Sicheng Li,
Xiaowei Wu,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
X Z Wang,
Rong Ji,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
Rong Ji,
X Z Wang,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
X Z Wang,
Ke-Da Zhang,
Ping Wang,
Rong Ji,
X Z Wang,
Ping Wang,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Ke-Da Zhang,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
Hai-Tao Fang,
Baoshan Xing,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Ping Wang,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Hai-Tao Fang,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
Xiaowei Wu,
Xiaowei Wu,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Ping Wang,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Xiaowei Wu,
Ziyun Huang,
Wei Jiang,
Rong Ji,
Wei Jiang,
Ziyun Huang,
Wei Jiang,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Xiaowei Wu,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Liuyan Yang,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Liuyan Yang,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
Qiao-Guo Tan,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Bingcai Pan,
Bingcai Pan,
Baoshan Xing,
Baoshan Xing,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Rong Ji,
Baoshan Xing,
Baoshan Xing,
Ping Wang,
Baoshan Xing,
Ping Wang,
Baoshan Xing,
Baoshan Xing,
Rong Ji,
Miao Ai-jun,
Miao Ai-jun
Summary
This study tracked radiolabeled nanoplastic particles in rats and found that smaller 20-nanometer particles could cross biological barriers that larger 100-nanometer particles could not, including reaching the brain. Both sizes were transferred from mothers to offspring, but through different pathways, revealing that nanoplastic size plays a critical role in determining which organs and tissues are exposed.
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose health concerns worldwide. However, robust quantitative data on their absorption, distribution, and excretion in mammals remain scarce. Here, we provide a comprehensive assessment of polystyrene (PS) NP biodistribution and elimination in rats using C-radiolabeling, the most accurate and quantitative method available. Pregnant rats were exposed to C-labeled 20 nm or 100 nm PS NPs (PS or PS) via oral gavage, intratracheal aerosolization, or intravenous injection, and tissue distribution and excretion were determined by radioactivity measurements. We found that PS NPs were exclusively excreted through faeces, irrespective of the exposure routes, without urinary elimination. Both PS and PS crossed multiple biological barriers, yet only PS reached the brain. Maternal transfer of PS occurred through both placenta and milk, while PS transferred solely via milk. A physiologically based toxicokinetic model further simulated accumulation kinetics across tissues. This study establishes the most comprehensive and reliable quantitative profile of PS NP biodistribution in mammals to date, revealing distinct size-dependent translocation patterns that provide a robust foundation for evaluating their health impacts.