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Article Tier 2 Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Reproductive & Development Sign in to save

Polystyrene Nanoparticles Disrupt Oxidative Phosphorylation and Impair Placental Development in Mice

Toxics 2026 1 citation

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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.

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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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