We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of Microplastic (MP) Exposure at Environmentally Relevant Doses on the Structure, Function, and Transcriptome of the Kidney in Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics at doses matching levels found in the environment and examined the effects on kidney structure and function. While the microplastics did not cause obvious physical damage to the kidneys, they altered blood markers of kidney function and changed gene expression patterns related to immune response and metabolism. The study suggests that even low-level microplastic exposure may subtly affect kidney biology at the molecular level.
As a common emerging environmental pollutant, microplastics (MPs) have been detected in a variety of environmental media and human bodies. The potential toxic effects and mechanisms of MPs need to be revealed urgently. MPs can be deposited in the kidney, and exposure to high doses of MPs can cause nephrotoxicity in experimental animals. In this study, we investigated the effects of exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) at environmentally relevant doses (0.1 and 1 mg/L) on kidney structure, function, and transcriptome in mice. We found that mice exposed to PS-MPs in drinking water for eight weeks had no change in body weight or kidney coefficient. PS-MPs administration decreased the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in mice, while serum creatinine (CRE) and uric acid (UA) concentrations were unaffected. Through using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining, we discovered that the glomerular tuft area increased in the PS-MP-treated mice, while the degree of renal fibrosis remained unchanged. Furthermore, renal cortex transcriptomic analysis identified 388 and 303 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 0.1 and 1 mg/L dose groups, respectively. The DEGs were highly enriched in mitochondrial-related terms and pathways of thermogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 10 (UQCR11) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3 (MT-CO3) were important node proteins. These findings suggest that environmental exposure to MPs can cause abnormalities in renal structure and filtration function and that long-term exposure to MPs may be a risk factor for renal disease.
More Papers Like This
Effects of nano- and microplastics on kidney: Physicochemical properties, bioaccumulation, oxidative stress and immunoreaction
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nano- and microplastics of varying sizes and tracked their accumulation and effects in the kidneys. They found that the particles changed their physical properties during digestion, accumulated in kidney tissue, and caused oxidative stress and immune responses. The study suggests that plastic particle size plays an important role in determining the extent of kidney-related harm.
The microplastics exposure induce the kidney injury in mice revealed by RNA-seq
AI summary Read the abstract
In a mouse study, microplastics of different sizes caused kidney injury including inflammation, oxidative stress, and scarring (fibrosis) after long-term exposure. The smallest particles (80 nanometers) altered immune-related genes, while larger particles disrupted genes tied to the body's internal clock. This research provides evidence that microplastics accumulating in the body over time could contribute to kidney disease in mammals, including humans.
The nephrotoxic potential of polystyrene microplastics at realistic environmental concentrations
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested polystyrene microplastics on human kidney cells at concentrations reflecting real-world environmental levels. They found that the particles attached to and were engulfed by the cells, triggering oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that reduced cell survival. The findings suggest that even realistic low-level microplastic exposure may pose risks to kidney health.
Toxicological effects of microplastics in renal ischemia–reperfusion injury
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how microplastic exposure affects kidney injury and recovery in a mouse model of reduced blood flow to the kidneys. They found that microplastics worsened kidney damage by triggering inflammatory responses and disrupting cellular repair processes. The study suggests that microplastic accumulation in the body may increase vulnerability to kidney complications.
Polystyrene microplastics induce nephrotoxicity through impaired mitochondrial homeostasis: An integrated experimental study
AI summary Read the abstract
In an animal study, exposure to polystyrene microplastics built up in the kidneys and caused kidney damage, including harmful oxidative stress, inflammation, and disrupted function of mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells. Higher doses caused more buildup and more tissue damage, pointing to the kidney as a key target for microplastic harm.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.