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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Remediation Sign in to save

Mass Balance Tracing of <i>In Vivo</i> Biodistribution, Relocation, and Excretion of Europium-Doped Micro/Nanoplastics in Rats

Environmental Science & Technology 2026 Score: 50 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Siguang Liu, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Siguang Liu, Zhonglu Liao, Yue Wu, Dehua Luo, Zhonglu Liao, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Zhonglu Liao, Siguang Liu, Siguang Liu, Zhonglu Liao, Xinyun Chu, Xinyun Chu, Xinyun Chu, Siguang Liu, Siguang Liu, Xinyun Chu, Xinyun Chu, Xinyun Chu, Dehua Luo, Dehua Luo, Yang Fang, AnYu Chen CyuanJhe Wu, AnYu Chen CyuanJhe Wu, AnYu Chen CyuanJhe Wu, Dehua Luo, AnYu Chen CyuanJhe Wu, Dehua Luo, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Yue Wu, Yue Wu, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Zhonglu Liao, Yang Fang, Xiaoyi Hu, Xiaoyi Hu, Xiaoyi Hu, Xiaoyi Hu, J Y Yu, J Y Yu, J Y Yu, J Y Yu, Siguang Liu, Siguang Liu, Siguang Liu, Siguang Liu, Tianle Xiang, Tianle Xiang, Tianle Xiang, Tianle Xiang, Zhiwei Huang, Zhiwei Huang, Jitai Zhang, Jitai Zhang, Jitai Zhang, Jitai Zhang, Randy A. Dahlgren, Randy A. Dahlgren, Minghua Zhang, Minghua Zhang, Xu Shang Xu Shang, Xu Shang, Xu Shang

Summary

Scientists injected tiny plastic particles into rats and tracked where they went in the body for three months. Most plastic particles collected in the liver and spleen, with smaller particles being harder for the body to get rid of—only 80% of the smallest particles were eliminated compared to just 15% of larger ones. This suggests that microplastics from food, water, and air could build up in our organs over time, though the long-term health effects are still unknown.

Polymers
PS
Body Systems
Cardiovascular Hepatic Immune Musculoskeletal Nervous
Models
Rat
Study Type In vivo

The discovery of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in the human circulatory system raises great health concerns. It is generally believed the <i>in vivo</i> transport and fate of MNPs are size dependent regulated by various physiological barriers, but recently, increasing reports of MNP accumulation in the brain or excreted through urine challenges this knowledge. Herein, the biodistribution, relocation, and excretion of intravenously administered MNPs were quantitatively traced in female rats for 3 months based on mass balance assessment using europium-doped polystyrene MNPs. With an overall recovery ∼90%, MNPs were mainly found in liver and spleen but seldom in brain and heart, indicating <i>in vivo</i> MNP transport follows classical size-dependent rules. Muscles with low concentrations of MNPs become the second largest long-term sink after the liver due to their high overall mass within the body. Dose-dependent accumulation was observed in RES (reticuloendothelial system) organs, while similar concentrations in low- and high-dose treatments imply a low maximum accumulation for MNP in the heart and brain. Although only minor toxicity effects were observed, just ∼80% of 77 nm and ∼15% of 300 and 2000 nm MNPs were exclusively excreted through feces, mostly in the first 3 weeks following a growth-curve pattern, thereby demonstrating long-term accumulation and potential health concerns.

Read via DOI PubMed

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