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Papers
12 resultsShowing papers from Zhujiang Hospital
ClearRevealing new insights: Two-center evidence of microplastics in human vitreous humor and their implications for ocular health
In the first multi-center study of its kind, researchers detected microplastics inside the vitreous humor (the gel inside the eye) of 49 patients with various eye diseases, with most particles smaller than 50 micrometers. Higher microplastic levels were linked to concerning eye health measures like increased pressure inside the eye, and patients with retinopathy showed especially elevated levels.
Polystyrene nanoplastics trigger ferroptosis in Nrf2-deficient gut via ether phospholipid accumulation
Researchers discovered that polystyrene nanoplastics trigger a specific type of cell death called ferroptosis in gut lining cells by disrupting fat metabolism, and that mice lacking a key protective protein (Nrf2) in their intestines were especially vulnerable. A high-fat diet made the damage worse, suggesting that people with poor diets or reduced antioxidant defenses may be at greater risk of intestinal harm from nanoplastic exposure.
Gastrointestinal Incomplete Degradation Exacerbates Neurotoxic Effects of PLA Microplastics via Oligomer Nanoplastics Formation
This study found that when PLA microplastics -- a common biodegradable plastic -- are partially broken down in the digestive system, they form smaller oligomer nanoplastics that are actually more toxic to the brain than the original particles. Mice exposed to these digestive breakdown products showed worse neurological effects, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for human health.
Fragile Guts Make Fragile Brains: Intestinal Epithelial Nrf2 Deficiency Exacerbates Neurotoxicity Induced by Polystyrene Nanoplastics
Using mice engineered to lack a key protective gene (Nrf2) in their intestinal lining, researchers showed that gut damage from nanoplastics can worsen brain damage through the gut-brain axis. The nanoplastics disrupted the gut barrier, altered gut bacteria, and triggered brain inflammation, with effects being much worse when the gut's natural defenses were weakened -- highlighting how gut health may determine how vulnerable someone is to the neurological effects of plastic pollution.
Polystyrene nanoplastics accelerate atherosclerosis: Unraveling the impact on smooth muscle cells through KIF15-mediated migration
This study found that polystyrene nanoplastics can accelerate atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by causing smooth muscle cells in blood vessel walls to migrate abnormally through a protein called KIF15. When researchers blocked KIF15 activity, the harmful effects of the nanoplastics on blood vessels were reduced, pointing to a possible mechanism by which plastic pollution could contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Gender-specific effects of polystyrene nanoplastic exposure on triclosan-induced reproductive toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
When zebrafish were exposed to both nanoplastics and triclosan (an antimicrobial chemical common in personal care products), the effects on reproduction differed between sexes. In males, nanoplastics increased triclosan levels in the testes and worsened sperm production problems, while in females, nanoplastics actually reduced triclosan in the ovaries and lessened some reproductive harm -- showing that nanoplastics can alter how the body absorbs and responds to other environmental chemicals.
Hepatotoxicity induced by polylactic acid microplastics: The mediating role of gut microbiota and uric acid metabolism
Researchers found that polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics, often marketed as biodegradable and eco-friendly, caused liver damage in a study by disrupting gut bacteria and raising uric acid levels. The gut microbiome changes triggered by PLA microplastics were the key driver of the liver injury, not direct contact with the liver. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safe and highlights the gut-liver connection in microplastic toxicity.
Multi-omics analysis of testis after long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reveals premature testicular aging and age-dependent damage in mice
Researchers used multi-omics analysis to study the effects of long-term polystyrene nanoplastic exposure on mouse testes and found signs of premature testicular aging. The damage was dependent on both the age of the mice and the duration of exposure, with younger animals showing particular vulnerability. The study suggests that protecting mRNA metabolism and testosterone production could help preserve reproductive function in males exposed to nanoplastics.
Nanoplastics trigger glial–neuronal collagen signaling miscommunication to exacerbate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics worsen cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease mouse models by disrupting communication between glial cells and neurons through the collagen-integrin signaling pathway. The study showed that nanoplastics triggered astrocytes and microglia to produce excess collagen, driving neurotoxicity. A drug blocking collagen signaling rescued cognitive function in nanoplastic-exposed Alzheimer's mice, and the same collagen pathway was found to be upregulated in human Alzheimer's brains.
Aged polylactic acid microplastics exacerbate lipid metabolism disorders and cardiac dysfunction via PPARγ activation in zebrafish: A comparative study with polymers and oligomers
Researchers compared the toxicity of polylactic acid microplastics at different degradation stages—polymers, oligomers, and aged polymers—in zebrafish larvae, finding that aged PLA most severely disrupted lipid metabolism and cardiac function through PPARγ activation.
The Role of Thrombin Time as an Independent Variable in Predicting In-Stent Stenosis Risk After Flow Diverter Treatment for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Retrospective Cohort Study
This clinical study investigated whether thrombin time is an independent predictor of in-stent stenosis in patients receiving flow diverters to treat unruptured intracranial aneurysms, finding an association between coagulation parameters and post-procedure complications. (Note: this paper appears unrelated to microplastics research.)
IDDF2024-ABS-0251 Analysis of microplastics in human ileum and mesenteric fat reveals a correlation between microplastics and crohn’s disease associated intestinal fibrosis
This clinical study analyzed microplastics recovered from human ileum tissue and mesenteric fat during surgery, finding plastic particles in both tissue types and characterizing their polymer composition and size distribution.