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Action mechanism as a cause of chronic constipation of inhaled and intravenously injected polystyrene nanoplastics in ICR mice
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Researchers found that ICR mice inhaling 500 nm polystyrene nanoplastics for two weeks developed significant constipation symptoms — reduced GI motility, altered mucin secretion, and enteric nervous system disruption — demonstrating that inhaled nanoplastics can affect gut function.
The inhalation effects of airborne nanoplastics (NPs) on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are rarely investigated, with most studies focusing only on the lungs and other organs. This study examined the changes in the key constipation phenotypes, mucin secretion, water and ion balance, and enteric nervous system (ENS) function in ICR mice after inhalation of polystyrene (PS)-NPs with 500 nm size for two weeks to determine if inhaled NPs can cause constipation. Significant constipation phenotypes, including the weight, water contents and morphology of stools, GI motility, intestinal length, histopathological structure of the colon, and concentration of GI hormone, were detected in NPs-inhaled ICR mice compared to a Vehicle-treated group. In addition, NPs-induced defecation delay was accompanied by a decrease in mucin secretion, suppressed transcription of mucin-related genes, and abnormal regulation of the colonic fluid transport system, including water and ions. NPs-inhaled mice showed a decrease in the neuronal cell density and dysfunction of excitatory neurons and inhibitory neurons in the ENS of the colon. Moreover, similar phenotypes for constipation were verified in ICR mice injected intravenously with NPs. Therefore, these results provide the first scientific evidence that inhalation and intravenous injection of PS-NPs can be considered as one of novel causes of constipation.
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Researchers found that feeding mice polystyrene microplastics orally for two weeks caused chronic constipation by reducing gut motility and altering intestinal neuromuscular function. The results provide direct experimental evidence that microplastic ingestion can disrupt digestive health in mammals.
Novel Characterization of Constipation Phenotypes in ICR Mice Orally Administrated with Polystyrene Microplastics
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Researchers found that oral administration of 0.5 micrometer polystyrene microplastics to ICR mice for two weeks induced significant constipation-like phenotypes, including altered water consumption, reduced stool weight and water content, and changes in gastrointestinal transit markers. The study provides direct experimental evidence that microplastic ingestion can disrupt bowel function in mammals.
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This review summarizes existing research on how swallowed micro- and nanoplastics may affect the gut. In studies, mostly mice, the particles damaged the intestinal lining, altered gut bacteria, and disrupted nerve signaling controlling gut muscles, which was linked to slowed gut movement and constipation in mice.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a colitis mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
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Researchers exposed colitis mouse models to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics to test whether MNP exposure worsens inflammatory bowel disease, finding that MNPs altered biodistribution and exacerbated inflammatory responses in animals with pre-existing gut inflammation.
Ingested nano- and microsized polystyrene particles surpass the intestinal barrier and accumulate in the body
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Researchers fed mice nano- and microsized polystyrene particles for up to 24 weeks to study intestinal barrier crossing and accumulation. The study found that plastic particles accumulated in the small intestine and distant organs, though they did not promote intestinal inflammation or worsen colitis, while noting that long-term accumulative effects on gastrointestinal health cannot be ruled out.
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