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Polystyrene Nanoparticles Disrupt Oxidative Phosphorylation and Impair Placental Development in Mice

Toxics 2026 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Bingyi Wang, Xinyi Xie, Xinyi Xie, Nairui Fan, Qiqi Deng, Nannan Shi, Denglu Long, Weipeng Huang, Siqi Zhu, Zhi Chen, Zhi Chen, Xin Cheng, Xin Cheng, Xuesong Yang, Guang Wang, Qihao Zhang

Summary

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoparticles disrupted placental development in mice by impairing energy production in placental mitochondria. The exposure led to decreased ATP production, increased oxidative stress, and altered signaling pathways important for placental growth and barrier function. The study provides evidence for a specific mechanism by which nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy could affect embryonic development.

Polymers
Body Systems
Models

These changes collectively led to decreased mitochondrial ATP production, increased oxidative stress in the placenta, and potentially altered placental barrier function and trophoblast cell proliferation signalling. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which PS-NPs disrupt placental development and embryonic growth through impairment of placental energy metabolic homeostasis and key signalling pathways, thus providing crucial experimental evidence for assessing the reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanoplastics.

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