We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene micro- and nano-particle coexposure injures fetal thalamus by inducing ROS-mediated cell apoptosis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that when pregnant mice were exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics, the nanoparticles crossed the placenta and accumulated in the fetal brain's thalamus region. The exposure caused oxidative damage, reduced levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, and led to anxiety-like behavior in the offspring. An antioxidant treatment was able to reduce the brain injury and rescue the behavioral effects, suggesting the damage was driven by oxidative stress.
The adverse effects of plastic on adult animal and human health have been receiving increasing attention. However, its potential toxicity to fetuses has not been fully elucidated. Herein, biodistribution of polystyrene (PS) particles was determined after the maternal mice were orally given PS micro- and/or nano-particles with and without surface modifications during gestational days 1 to 17. The results showed that PS microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) mainly emerged in the alimentary tract, brain, uterus, and placenta in maternal mice, and only the latter infiltrated into the fetal thalamus. PS NPs and carboxyl-modified NPs induced differentially expressed genes mainly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation and GABAergic synapse. Maternal administration of PS particles during gestation led to anxiety-like behavior of the progenies and their γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reduction in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala at Week 8. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, alleviated PS particles-induced oxidative injury in the fetal brain and rescued the anxiety-like behavior of the progenies. Additionally, PS nanoparticles caused excessive ROS and apoptosis in neuronal cell lines, which were prevented by glutathione supplementation. These results suggested that PS particles produced a negative effect on fetuses by inducing oxidative injury and suppressing GABA synthesis in their brain. The findings contribute to estimating the risk for PS particles to human and animal health.
More Papers Like This
Effects of exposure to micro/nanoplastics of polystyrene on neuronal oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and anxiety-like behavior in mice: A Systematic Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examined 24 studies on how polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics affect the brains of mice. The findings consistently showed that exposure led to increased oxidative stress, brain inflammation, and anxiety-like behavior. Maternal exposure also caused brain-related harm in offspring, suggesting these tiny plastic particles could pose real risks to the nervous system.
Nano polystyrene induced changes in anxiety and learning behaviour are mediated through oxidative stress and gene disturbance in mouse brain regions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers orally exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics for eight weeks and documented impaired learning, spatial memory deficits, and heightened anxiety, linked to oxidative stress, reduced neurotransmitter gene expression, and altered acetylcholinesterase activity across three brain regions including the cortex and hippocampus.
Effects of nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy and lactation on neurodevelopment of rat offspring
AI summary Read the abstract
When pregnant and nursing rats were exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics, their offspring showed thinner brain cortexes, disrupted neurotransmitter levels, damaged connections between brain cells, and problems with anxiety and spatial memory. This study suggests that maternal exposure to nanoplastics during pregnancy and breastfeeding could affect brain development in offspring.
Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics alters fetal brain metabolism in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
When pregnant mice drank water containing polystyrene nanoplastics at low concentrations, their unborn pups showed significant changes in brain chemistry, including a 40% drop in GABA (a key brain chemical) and a 30% drop in glucose levels. These metabolic disruptions in the fetal brain could help explain the structural brain changes previously seen in pups born to nanoplastic-exposed mothers. This study raises concerns that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could affect fetal brain development in humans.
Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces an anxiolytic-like effect, changes in antipredator defensive response, and DNA damage in Swiss mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed male Swiss mice to polystyrene nanoplastics at two doses over 20 days and assessed behavioral, neurological, and genetic effects. The study found that nanoplastic exposure induced anxiolytic-like behavior, altered antipredator defensive responses, and caused DNA damage in erythrocytes, suggesting that nanoplastics can affect mammalian brain function and genomic integrity.
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.