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Long-Term Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells
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Researchers exposed human intestinal cells to polystyrene nanoplastics over an extended period to simulate chronic dietary exposure. They found that long-term exposure at low concentrations caused subtle but persistent changes in cell function, including altered gene expression and increased oxidative stress markers. The study highlights that the health effects of nanoplastics may build up gradually over time, underscoring the importance of studying chronic rather than just short-term exposure.
The increasing presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) in the environment, and their consequent accumulation in trophic niches, could pose a potential health threat to humans, especially due to their chronic ingestion. In vitro studies using human cells are considered pertinent approaches to determine potential health risks to humans. Nevertheless, most of such studies have been conducted using short exposure times and high concentrations. Since human exposure to MNPLs is supposed to be chronic, there is a lack of information regarding the potential in vitro MNPLs effects under chronic exposure conditions. To this aim, we assessed the accumulation and potential outcomes of polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), as a model of MNPLs, in undifferentiated Caco-2 cells (as models of cell target in ingestion exposures) under a relevant long-term exposure scenario, consisting of eight weeks of exposure to sub-toxic PSNPs concentrations. In such exposure conditions, culture-media was changed every 2-3 days to maintain constant exposure. The different analyzed endpoints were cytotoxicity, dysregulation of stress-related genes, genotoxicity, oxidative DNA damage, and intracellular ROS levels. These are endpoints that showed to be sensitive enough in different studies. The obtained results attest that PSNPs accumulate in the cells through time, inducing changes at the ultrastructural and molecular levels. Nevertheless, minor changes in the different evaluated genotoxicity-related biomarkers were observed. This would indicate that no DNA damage or oxidative stress is observed in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells after long-term exposure to PSNPs. This is the first study dealing with the long-term effects of PSNPs on human cultured cells.
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This study exposed human intestinal cells to low doses of polystyrene nanoplastics over 12 days and found that repeated exposure caused cumulative damage to mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells. Even concentrations considered environmentally realistic impaired cellular energy production and forced cells to switch to a less efficient backup energy system. This suggests that long-term, everyday nanoplastic exposure through food could gradually harm gut health in ways that might not be immediately noticeable.
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Researchers tested how polystyrene nanoparticles interact with human intestinal cells in the lab. They found that the nanoparticles were readily taken up by the cells in a concentration-dependent manner, but no significant toxic effects were observed under the conditions tested. The study suggests that while nanoplastics can enter gut cells, their short-term toxicity at the tested levels appears limited.
Exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles leads to dysfunction in DNA repair mechanisms in Caco-2 cells
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Researchers found that exposing intestinal cells (Caco-2) to polystyrene nanoplastics impaired DNA repair mechanisms even at doses that didn't kill the cells, raising concern that nanoplastic exposure could lead to genetic instability and long-term health risks over time.
Acute and Sub-Chronic Effects of Microplastics (3 and 10 µm) on the Human Intestinal Cells HT-29
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Researchers tested the effects of polystyrene microplastics on human intestinal cells over both short-term and extended 48-day exposure periods, simulating real-world chronic exposure. They found that smaller 3-micrometer particles caused more pronounced damage to cell membranes, while larger 10-micrometer particles generated more oxidative stress. The study suggests that prolonged microplastic exposure could contribute to intestinal health issues due to cumulative cell damage over time.
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Researchers tested polystyrene microplastics on human lung, colon, and liver cells and found that even a single exposure had lasting effects on cell energy production and caused oxidative stress that continued for 12 days after exposure ended. Colon cells were particularly affected, showing signs of mitochondrial dysfunction long after the initial contact with microplastics. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure through food could cause sustained damage to intestinal cells even after the particles have passed through the body.
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