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Nanoplastics activate a TLR4/p38-mediated pro-inflammatory response in human intestinal and mouse microglia cells
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Researchers exposed human intestinal cells and mouse brain immune cells to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles activated inflammatory pathways through a specific receptor called TLR4. The nanoplastics increased production of the inflammatory signal IL-1 beta in gut cells and triggered inflammation-promoting enzymes in brain immune cells. This study provides a mechanism by which nanoplastics swallowed in food or water could trigger inflammation in both the gut and the brain.
The crescent presence of nanoplastics in the environment raises concerns regarding their potential impact on health. This study exposed human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HT29) and microglia cells (N9) to nanoplastics (25 nm, 50 nm, and 100 nm Polystyrene) to investigate their inflammatory responses, which are vital for body's defence. Although cytotoxicity remained generally low, HT29 cells exhibited a notable upregulation of p50 and p38 expression, concomitant with elevated TLR4 expression, in contrast with N9 cells that showed a less pronounced upregulation of these proteins. Additionally, nanoplastic exposure increased IL-1ß levels, partially attenuated by pre-exposure to TLR4 or p38 inhibitors. Intriguingly, N9 cells exposed to nanoplastics exhibited substantial increases in iNOS mRNA. This effect was entirely prevented by pre-exposure to TLR4 or p38 inhibitors, while TNF-α mRNA levels remained relatively stable. These findings underscore the potential of nanoplastics to activate inflammatory pathways, with response kinetics varying depending on the cell type.
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Polystyrene Microplastics Disrupt the Gut-Brain Axis via Activating Brain TLR4 and Impair Hippocampal Synapses through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles from polystyrene (commonly used in food containers and packaging) can damage the connection between your gut and brain when consumed. These microplastics disrupt healthy gut bacteria, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream and eventually reach the brain, where they cause inflammation and damage to areas important for memory and learning. This research suggests that exposure to these tiny plastic particles could potentially contribute to brain health problems over time.
Polystyrene microplastics trigger colonic inflammation in rats via the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway and modulation of intestinal microbiota
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Rats exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 90 days developed significant colon inflammation, including damaged gut lining, increased inflammatory markers, and disrupted gut bacteria. The study identified a specific inflammatory pathway (TLR4/NF-kB/COX-2) through which microplastics trigger intestinal inflammation, providing important clues about how plastic particles in food and water could contribute to gut diseases in humans.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induce intestinal and hepatic inflammation through activation of NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways and related gut-liver axis in mice
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In a mouse study, ingested polystyrene nanoplastics accumulated in the gut and liver and triggered inflammation through specific immune pathways, damaging the intestinal lining and allowing bacterial toxins to leak into the liver. This gut-liver connection suggests that swallowing nanoplastics could set off a chain reaction of inflammation affecting multiple organs in the body.
Oral feeding of nanoplastics affects brain function of mice by inducing macrophage IL-1 signal in the intestine
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Researchers found that when mice consumed nanoplastics, the tiny particles triggered immune cells in the gut to produce an inflammatory signal (IL-1) that traveled to the brain and impaired cognitive function. Nanoplastics were more potent at activating this gut-brain immune pathway than larger microplastics. This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which swallowing nanoplastics in food or water could affect brain health through the gut immune system.
Differently surface-labeled polystyrene nanoplastics at an environmentally relevant concentration induced Crohn’s ileitis-like features via triggering intestinal epithelial cell necroptosis
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally realistic levels triggered Crohn's disease-like inflammation in the small intestine of mice. Different surface coatings on the nanoplastics affected which immune pathways were activated, but all types caused gut damage. This study suggests that nanoplastic exposure through food and water could contribute to inflammatory bowel disease in humans.
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