We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Gut-ovary axis mediated synergistic reproductive toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and perfluorobutanoic acid co-exposure: pyroptotic signaling and probiotic mitigation
Summary
Researchers found that combined exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and the industrial chemical perfluorobutanoic acid caused more severe ovarian damage in rats than either contaminant alone, reducing healthy follicles and disrupting hormone levels. The combined exposure damaged the gut barrier, elevated inflammatory markers in the bloodstream, and activated cell death pathways in ovarian tissue through what the researchers describe as a gut-ovary axis. Supplementation with the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 partially protected against the ovarian injury by modulating gut microbiota.
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPLs) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) are pervasive contaminants of great concern and can enter human body primarily through gastrointestinal tract. However, their single and combined effects on female reproductive health remain poorly explored. In this study, PFBA was found to be adsorbed onto PS-NPLs through both chemical and physical interactions. Compared with single exposure, co-exposure to PS-NPLs (0.04 mg/d) and PFBA (0.28 mg/d) for 28 days caused more severe ovarian toxicity in rats, as evidenced by decreased primordial follicles, increased follicular atresia, and sex hormone abnormalities. Mechanistically, the co-exposure was associated with the gut barrier damage and elevated levels of lipopolysaccharide in the bloodstream, concomitant with altered redox homeostasis, inflammation and NLRP3/caspase-1-related pyroptosis of the ovary. Moreover, supplementation with probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 partially attenuated ovarian injury via modulating gut microbiota and mitigating the above process. Taken together, our study revealed a synergistic impact of PS-NPLs and PFBA on female reproduction, uncovered the underlying mechanisms from the perspective of gut-ovary axis, and provided valuable insights into potential preventive strategies.