We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Distribution and toxicity of submicron plastic particles in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that orally administered submicron-sized microplastics distributed to multiple organs and biofluids in mice over four weeks, causing oxidative stress and inflammation in tissues including the liver, kidneys, and gut.
Although microplastics (MPs) have become a global issue, the biodistribution and toxicities of MPs were still unclear. In this study, c57BL/6 mice were treated with submicron-sized MPs labeled with Nile red fluorescence by oral gavage three times a week for four consecutive weeks. Flow cytometry and microscopy technique were used to examine the concentration and distribution of MPs in various tissues and biofluids. The oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Submicron-sized MP signals were found in the intestines, liver, spleen, kidney, lungs, blood, and urine of mice after MP exposure. Increased oxidative stress in mouse urine and elevated inflammatory cytokines in mouse kidney were also recorded. In conclusion, flow cytometry is a useful tool for examining the number concentrations of MPs. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation after MP treatment indicates that the toxicity of MP warrants further investigation.
More Papers Like This
Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed mice polystyrene microplastics of two sizes and tracked where the particles accumulated in the body, finding them in the liver, kidneys, and gut with distribution patterns depending on particle size. Biochemical analysis revealed that microplastic exposure disrupted energy and fat metabolism, caused oxidative stress, and altered markers of neurotoxicity in the blood. The study provides evidence that microplastics can accumulate in mammalian tissues and may pose widespread health risks.
Systemic effects of nanoplastics on multi-organ at the environmentally relevant dose: The insights in physiological, histological, and oxidative damages
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers gave mice nanoplastics at doses estimated to match real-world human exposure levels and found the particles crossed the intestinal barrier and accumulated in the liver and kidneys. Even at these low, environmentally relevant doses, the nanoplastics caused oxidative stress and tissue damage across multiple organs. The findings suggest that everyday nanoplastic exposure may pose broader health risks than previously assumed.
In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Microplastics and the Systemic Metabolic Changes After Gastrointestinal Exposure in Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice exposed to microplastics via the gastrointestinal route showed systemic distribution of particles to multiple organs and measurable changes in metabolic pathways, providing early in vivo evidence of systemic impacts from plastic ingestion.
Distribution and Tissue Damage After a Single Microplastic Exposure in Mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers administered fluorescent microplastics to mice by oral gavage and tracked their distribution through the body over several hours. They found direct evidence of microplastic particles in the blood, lungs, brain, kidneys, liver, and spleen, with fluorescence peaking at two hours after exposure. Histological examination revealed mild tissue damage including congestion in the liver and lungs, providing evidence that ingested microplastics can enter the bloodstream and reach multiple organs.
In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Microplastics and Systemic Metabolomic Alterations After Gastrointestinal Exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed mice a mixture of common microplastics and then tracked where the particles ended up in the body and how they affected metabolism. They found that ingested microplastics crossed the gut barrier and accumulated in the liver, kidneys, and other tissues, causing measurable changes in metabolic pathways. The study provides evidence that microplastic exposure through the digestive system can lead to widespread tissue distribution and systemic metabolic disruption in mammals.
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.