0
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. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Food & Water Human Health Effects Sign in to save

In Vivo Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics of Polytetrafluoroethylene Microplastics in ICR Mice

Polymers 2022 29 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 50 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Sijoon Lee, Kyung‐Ku Kang, Soo‐Eun Sung, Joo-Hee Choi, Min Kyung Sung, Keum‐Yong Seong, Ji-An Lee, Hyun‐Han Kwon, Subin Kang, Seong Yun Yang, Sunjong Lee, Sunjong Lee, Kyeong‐Ryoon Lee, Min‐Soo Seo, Kil‐Soo Kim

Summary

Researchers investigated the in vivo toxicity and pharmacokinetics of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microplastics in mice, finding that these particles accumulated in organs and caused dose-dependent inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.

Polymers
Study Type In vivo

The increased use of plastics has led to severe environmental pollution, particularly by microplastics-plastic particles 5 mm or less in diameter. These particles are formed by environmental factors such as weathering and ultraviolet irradiation, thereby making environmental pollution worse. This environmental pollution intensifies human exposure to microplastics via food chains. Despite potential negative effects, few toxicity assessments on microplastics are available. In this study, two sizes of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microplastics, approximately 5 μm and 10-50 μm, were manufactured and used for single and four-week repeated toxicity and pharmacokinetic studies. Toxicological effects were comprehensively evaluated with clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumption, necropsy findings, and histopathological and clinical-pathological examinations. Blood collected at 15, 30 60, and 120 min after a single administration of microplastics were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. In the toxicity evaluation of single and four-week repeated oral administration of PTFE microplastics, no toxic changes were observed. Therefore, the lethal dose 50 (LD50) and no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of PTFE microplastics in ICR mice were established as 2000 mg/kg or more. PTFE microplastics were not detected in blood, so pharmacokinetic parameters could not be calculated. This study provides new insight into the long-term toxicity and pharmacokinetics of PTFE microplastics.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Immunodysregulatory potentials of polyethylene or polytetrafluorethylene microplastics to mice subacutely exposed via intragastric intubation

Researchers found that subacute oral exposure to polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics caused immune dysregulation in mice, with effects varying by particle size and polymer type, demonstrating that ingested microplastics can disrupt immune function.

Article Tier 2

Distribution and toxicity of submicron plastic particles in mice

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.

Article Tier 2

In vivo toxicity assessment of microplastics in Balb/C mice : study of inhalation exposure and its inflammatory effects

Researchers examined the in vivo toxicity of inhaled microplastics in Balb/C mice, studying pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic effects following repeated inhalation exposure. The study found dose-dependent lung inflammation and evidence of particle translocation to other organs.

Article Tier 2

Organ-specific accumulation and toxicity analysis of orally administered polyethylene terephthalate microplastics

When mice were fed tiny PET plastic particles (the kind found in water bottles and food containers), the particles accumulated mainly in the lungs and caused inflammatory damage at higher doses. The study found that male mice were more sensitive than females, and the results highlight that microplastics swallowed through food and drink can travel to and harm organs beyond the digestive system.

Article Tier 2

Potential Impact Microplastic Polyethylene Terephthalate on Mice

Researchers studied how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics affect mice when ingested, tracking where the particles end up in the body. They found that microplastics accumulated in various organs and caused measurable biological effects. The study adds to growing evidence that common plastic types found in food packaging may pose health risks when consumed.

Share this paper