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Nanoplastics-induced oxidative stress, antioxidant defense, and physiological response in exposed Wistar albino rats
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Researchers orally exposed Wistar rats to polystyrene nanoplastics at multiple doses for five weeks and observed dose-dependent increases in oxidative stress. The study found significant alterations in liver and kidney function markers, disrupted energy metabolism, and changes in antioxidant enzyme activity, suggesting that nanoplastic exposure may affect multiple organ systems in mammals.
Nowadays, plastic pollution and in particular nano(micro)plastics is considered as an issue of global concern in environmental samples. The present work was conducted to clarify the oxidative stress of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) exposure and physiological response of male Wistar rats. Animals were treated orally with PS-NPs at four doses (1, 3, 6, and10 mg/kg-day) for 5 weeks. Results demonstrated the accumulation of PS-NPs through whole body scanning and also a dose-dependent increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Alterations in antioxidant responses including serum levels of catalase (CAT) and total glutathione content were noticed, but not superoxide dismutase (SOD), pointing towards the perturbation of redox state induced by exposure conditions. Biochemical parameters viz. glucose, cortisol, lipase, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), triglycerides, and urea showed a significant increase, while total protein, albumin, and globulin levels showed an appreciable decline. The pattern of associations noticed with AChE activity and biochemical responses in our study suggests the possibility that a neurobehavioral effect or dysfunctions in energy metabolism may be the potential modes of action, possibly through stress response as well as liver function. Perturbations of creatinine and uric acid levels are indeed plausible biological explanations for the association with kidney dysfunction. Although we provided a new scientific clue for exploring the biological consequences of NPs which might induce effects such as oxidative stress relating to the induction of antioxidant enzymes, the results warrant additional research with a larger sample size.
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Physiological stress response of the Wistar albino rats orally exposed to polystyrene nanoparticles
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Rats given oral doses of polystyrene nanoparticles for five weeks showed dose-dependent increases in oxidative stress markers and changes in liver and kidney enzyme levels. The findings suggest that ingested nanoplastics can cause biochemical stress in mammals, providing data relevant to assessing human health risks.
Screening for polystyrene nanoparticle toxicity on kidneys of adult male albino rats using histopathological, biochemical, and molecular examination results
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Researchers found that oral exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles caused significant kidney damage in rats, including oxidative stress, impaired renal function, and tissue alterations that worsened with increasing dose, demonstrating their nephrotoxic potential.
Polyethylene microplastics disrupt renal function, mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, and histoarchitecture in Wistar rats
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Researchers gave rats polyethylene microplastics orally for 28 days and found dose-dependent kidney damage, including impaired filtration, electrolyte imbalances, and tissue inflammation. The microplastics depleted antioxidant defenses, increased oxidative stress markers, and disrupted mitochondrial energy production in kidney cells, identifying the kidneys as a critical target of microplastic toxicity.
Effects of micro/nanoplastics on oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice: a meta-analysis
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A meta-analysis of 36 studies in rats and mice found that micro/nanoplastics significantly increase oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA) and liver enzymes (ALT, AST) while depleting antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH, GPx, CAT). Smaller particles administered orally over longer durations caused the most pronounced damage, with the liver showing the highest elevations in biochemical stress markers.
Evaluation of the hepatorenal subacute toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics on immunohistochemical, histopathological, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and biochemical changes: The protective role of ellagic acid
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Researchers demonstrated that 28-day oral exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics in rats caused liver and kidney toxicity—marked by elevated oxidative stress, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and histopathological damage—and that co-administration of the antioxidant ellagic acid significantly attenuated these harmful effects.
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