We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Environmental microplastic accumulation exacerbates liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat: Protective effects of melatonin
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that environmental microplastic exposure worsened liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats, while melatonin treatment provided protective effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation caused by the combined insult.
Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is an inevitable complication of liver transplantation and partial hepatectomy. Although the hazards of environmental microplastics (EMPs) have been well explored, data underlying their impact on IR-induced hepatotoxicity and how to alleviate these damages remain largely undefined. In this study, the involvement of melatonin (MT) in modulating EMPs toxicity in the liver undergoing ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated. Male Wistar rats were exposed to MPs for 7 days and then subjected to 1 h of partial warm ischemia (70 %) followed by 24 h of reperfusion. We analyzed some parameters as the oxidative stress, the stability of cytoskeleton as well as inflammation, and autophagy. Our data suggested that EMPs elicited liver injury in ischemic animals. Data revealed several histological alterations caused by EMP and IRI, including cellular disorientation, cell necrosis, and microvacuolar steatosis, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration. EMPs increased blood transaminase (AST and ALT) and oxidative stress levels in the ischemic liver. In addition, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot analyses highlighted an increased expression of α-tubulin, IL-18, NFkB, and LC3. However, the ability of MT to reduce MPs and IRI toxicity was consistent with a significant decrease in the evaluated markers. The combined data not only document that melatonin is an effective agent to protect against hepatic IRI but also reduces cellular dysfunction caused by EMPs.
More Papers Like This
Prenatal melatonin reprograms liver injury in male pups caused by maternal exposure to a high-fat diet and microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Pregnant rats were fed a high-fat diet, with or without microplastics and melatonin, and their male pups were examined at seven days old. Pups from the high-fat diet and microplastics group had more liver fat, cell death, inflammation and oxidative stress. These measures were lower in pups whose mothers also received melatonin.
Melatonin Alleviates Intestinal Barrier Damaging Effects Induced by Polyethylene Microplastics in Albino Rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics damaged the intestinal barrier in rats by causing inflammation, reducing protective mucus, and disrupting the tight junctions between gut cells. The damage was more severe at higher doses and included changes in gut bacteria composition. The study also found that melatonin treatment helped protect against these intestinal effects, suggesting potential avenues for reducing microplastic-related gut damage.
Environmental microplastics and liver health: Brief review on human exposure and accumulation, hepatotoxicity mechanism, and intervention strategies
AI summary Read the abstract
This review links human exposure to microplastics, their accumulation in the liver and proposed mechanisms of liver toxicity, including oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death. Most of the evidence comes from cell, animal and organoid studies. It also discusses candidate interventions that are still at the research stage.
Melatonin counteracts polyethylene microplastics induced adreno-cortical damage in male albino rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Male rats were given polyethylene microplastics at two doses, with or without melatonin. The study is the first to look at the adrenal gland, and it found toxic effects there. Rats that also received melatonin showed less adrenal damage.
Exploring Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Dysregulation in Lung Tissues of Offspring Rats Exposed to Prenatal Polystyrene Microplastics: Effects of Melatonin Treatment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that rat pups exposed to polystyrene microplastics before birth showed significant oxidative stress and metabolic disruption in their lung tissues. The prenatal exposure altered nucleic acid metabolism and amino acid profiles in the lungs of newborn pups. Encouragingly, treatment with melatonin significantly improved lung function and reduced tissue damage in the affected offspring.
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.