We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Arsenic and polystyrene-nano plastics co-exposure induced testicular toxicity: Triggers oxidative stress and promotes apoptosis and inflammation in mice.
Summary
Combined exposure of mice to polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic caused greater testicular damage than either pollutant alone, with co-exposure triggering amplified oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling in testicular tissue, pointing to compounding reproductive toxicity from these co-occurring environmental contaminants.
Co-existing of polystyrene-nano plastics (PSNPs) and arsenic (As) in the environment caused a horrendous risk to human health. However, the potential mechanism of PSNPs and As combination induced testicular toxicity in mammals has not been elucidated. Therefore, we first explore the testicular toxicity and the potential mechanism in male Kunming mice exposed to As or/and PSNPs. Results revealed that compared to the As or PSNPs group, the combined group showed more significant testicular toxicity. Specifically, As and PSNPs combination induced irregular spermatozoa array and blood-testis barrier disruption. Simultaneously, As and PSNPs co-exposure also exacerbated oxidative stress, including increasing the MDA content, and down-regulating expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, SOD-1, and Trx. PSNPs and As combination also triggered testicular apoptosis, containing changes in apoptotic factors (P53, Bax, Bcl-2, Cytc, Caspase-8, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3). Furthermore, co-exposed to As and PSNPs aggravated inflammatory damage characterized by targeted phosphorylation of NF-κB and degradation of I-κB. In summary, our results strongly confirmed As + PSNPs co-exposure induced the synergistic toxicity of testis through excessive oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, which could offer a new sight into the mechanism of environmental pollutants co-exposure induced male reproductive toxicity.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Combined exposure to titanium nanoparticles and nanoplastics damages the male reproductive system and sperm activity
This study assessed the effects of combined TiO2 nanoparticles and polystyrene nanoplastics on male reproductive function in animal models, finding that co-exposure caused greater damage to sperm motility, testicular structure, and hormone levels than either material alone. The results raise concerns about combined environmental exposure to two common industrial nanomaterials.
Maternal Exposureto Combined Cadmium and PolystyreneNanoplastics Induces Offspring Testicular Dysplasia via MitochondrialReactive Oxygen Species Overactivating the Peroxisome Proliferator-ActivatedReceptor α‑Mediated Autophagy Signaling Pathway
Maternal exposure to combined polystyrene nanoplastics and cadmium during pregnancy caused testicular dysplasia in offspring via mitochondrial reactive oxygen species overactivating the PPARα-mediated autophagy pathway, with combined exposure more harmful than either alone.
Combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and lipopolysaccharide on testosterone biosynthesis and inflammation in mouse testis
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics combined with bacterial toxins (LPS) caused worse damage to mouse testicles than either substance alone, reducing sperm count, lowering testosterone levels, and increasing inflammation. Since microplastics in the environment can carry bacteria and their toxins, this combination exposure is realistic. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution could amplify the reproductive harm caused by bacterial infections in males.
Polystyrene nanoplastics aggravate reproductive system damage in obese male mice by perturbation of the testis redox homeostasis
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics worsened reproductive damage in male mice already fed a high-fat diet, reducing sperm quality and testosterone production beyond what obesity alone caused. The nanoplastics disrupted the protective blood-testis barrier and increased oxidative stress in reproductive tissues. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure combined with obesity may create compounding risks to male fertility.
Nanoplastics and Arsenic Co-Exposures Exacerbate Oncogenic Biomarkers under an In Vitro Long-Term Exposure Scenario
Researchers examined the combined effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic on oncogenic biomarkers using an in vitro long-term exposure model. The study found that co-exposure to nanoplastics and arsenic exacerbated oncogenic biomarker responses compared to individual exposures. The findings suggest that nanoplastics may act as carriers for arsenic, potentially modulating its uptake and amplifying harmful effects in cellular systems.