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Papers
51 resultsShowing papers from Shandong First Medical University
ClearReproductive and developmental implications of micro- and nanoplastic internalization: Recent advances and perspectives
This systematic review documented the detection of micro- and nanoplastics in human semen, placenta, and ovarian follicular fluid, and found evidence linking exposure to impaired sperm quality, disrupted ovarian function, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In animal models, MNPs caused developmental toxicity and transgenerational effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic modification identified as key mechanisms.
Association of mixed exposure to microplastics with sperm dysfunction: a multi-site study in China
In a study of 113 men across three regions in China, microplastics were detected in all semen and urine samples tested, with eight different plastic types identified. The presence of certain microplastics, particularly PTFE (Teflon), was associated with reduced sperm quality, suggesting that microplastic exposure may pose risks to male fertility.
The quest for nanoparticle-powered vaccines in cancer immunotherapy
This review explores how nanoparticles are being developed as cancer vaccine delivery systems to train the immune system to fight tumors more effectively. While focused on cancer immunotherapy rather than microplastics, the research highlights that understanding how nanoparticles interact with the immune system is crucial -- the same principles apply to understanding how nanoplastics may affect immune responses in the body.
Prevalence and implications of microplastic contaminants in general human seminal fluid: A Raman spectroscopic study
Microplastics were detected in all 40 semen samples from men in the general population with no occupational plastic exposure, with an average of 2 particles per sample and polystyrene being the most common type. Sperm exposed to different plastic types showed varying motility, suggesting that the kind of microplastic present may matter for male fertility.
Cross-platform detection of microplastics in human biological tissues: Comparing spectroscopic and chromatographic approaches
Scientists compared two different analytical methods for detecting microplastics in human urine and uterine tissue samples from pregnant women and found that using both methods together reveals a more complete picture than either alone. The study detected multiple types of plastic particles in biological samples, confirming that microplastics accumulate in human reproductive tissues.
Quorum Sensing: Not Just a Bridge Between Bacteria
This review covers quorum sensing -- the chemical communication system bacteria use to coordinate group behavior -- and how it can be disrupted to fight infections and prevent harmful biofilm formation. The paper notes that microplastics are among the materials being explored to modulate these bacterial communication systems, which is relevant because bacteria colonizing microplastic surfaces in the environment may use quorum sensing to form biofilms that affect ecosystems and human health.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induced learning and memory impairments in mice by damaging the glymphatic system
Mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics through different routes developed learning and memory problems linked to damage in their brain's waste-clearing system, called the glymphatic system. Amino-modified nanoplastics caused the most severe effects, disrupting the channels that normally flush toxins from the brain during sleep, suggesting a mechanism by which plastic pollution could contribute to cognitive decline.
Lactating exposure to microplastics at the dose of infants ingested during artificial feeding induced reproductive toxicity in female mice and their offspring
When nursing mice were exposed to microplastics at levels matching what infants ingest from plastic baby bottles, the mothers developed reproductive problems including delayed puberty, irregular cycles, and reduced fertility. Strikingly, their male offspring also showed decreased sperm count and quality, even though they were only exposed through breast milk. This suggests microplastics can cause reproductive harm that passes from mother to child, with males being especially vulnerable.
Raman-guided exploration of placental microplastic exposure: Unraveling the polymeric tapestry and assessing developmental implications
Scientists examined placentas from 50 women after delivery and found microplastics in 62% of them, with seven different plastic types identified including Teflon (PTFE), polystyrene, and ABS. While the particles did not appear to affect birth weight, length, or gestational age in this study, their widespread presence in placental tissue confirms that plastic pollution reaches developing babies before birth. More research is needed to understand potential long-term effects.
Inhibiting ferroptosis in brain microvascular endothelial cells: A potential strategy to mitigate polystyrene nanoplastics‒induced blood‒brain barrier dysfunction
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the blood-brain barrier in mice by triggering ferroptosis — an iron-dependent form of cell death — in brain microvascular endothelial cells, and that blocking ferroptosis with a targeted drug reduced tight junction protein loss and restored barrier integrity.
Microplastics induce insulin resistance by causing mitochondrial dysfunction associated with mROS in skeletal muscle in vitro
Researchers exposed human muscle cells to polystyrene micro and nanoplastics and found that the particles caused insulin resistance, meaning the cells could not properly absorb sugar from the blood. The plastics damaged the cells' mitochondria (the energy-producing structures) and triggered harmful oxidative stress, but a mitochondria-protecting antioxidant reversed the damage. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could contribute to metabolic problems like type 2 diabetes by impairing how muscles process sugar.
Microporous carbon derived from waste plastics for efficient adsorption of tetracycline: Adsorption mechanism and application potentials
Scientists converted waste PET plastic bottles into a porous carbon material that can remove 100% of the antibiotic tetracycline from water. The material worked effectively across a wide range of water conditions and could be reused multiple times. This approach offers a double benefit: it repurposes plastic waste that would otherwise become microplastic pollution while also cleaning antibiotics from water, addressing two environmental threats at once.
Polystyrene nanoplastics promote muscle cell senescence through microtubule hyper-stabilization-mediated mitophagy dysfunction and cGAS-Sting activation
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics cause premature aging in human muscle cells by disrupting the internal skeleton of cells and impairing the cleanup of damaged mitochondria. The nanoplastics made the cell's structural framework too rigid, which blocked normal cell signaling and triggered an inflammatory aging response. This study suggests that nanoplastic exposure could contribute to muscle weakness and age-related muscle loss in humans.
Reactive oxygen species drive aging-associated microplastic release in diverse infusion ingredients
Researchers discovered that IV fluid bags release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into the solution, with the amount depending on what medication is mixed in. Certain drugs generate more reactive oxygen species (harmful molecules) that break down the plastic bag material faster, releasing more particles. This finding is important because IV fluids deliver microplastics directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the body's natural barriers.
Involvement of the JNK/HO‑1/FTH1 signaling pathway in nanoplastic‑induced inflammation and ferroptosis of BV2 microglia cells
Researchers found that nanoplastics triggered both inflammation and a type of cell death called ferroptosis in brain immune cells (microglia) grown in the lab. The nanoplastics activated a specific signaling pathway (JNK/HO-1/FTH1) that disrupted iron metabolism in the cells. These findings suggest nanoplastics could contribute to neuroinflammation, which is relevant to understanding potential brain health effects of plastic pollution.
Hydrogen bonding-mediated interaction underlies the enhanced membrane toxicity of chemically transformed polystyrene microplastics by cadmium
This study found that cadmium, a toxic heavy metal, makes polystyrene microplastics more damaging to cell membranes by changing the plastic's surface properties. Cadmium-treated microplastics formed stronger hydrogen bonds with cell membrane fats, disrupting cells more effectively than untreated microplastics. Since both cadmium and microplastics are common environmental pollutants, their combined effect could be more harmful to human health than either one alone.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics Impair the Biophysical Function of Pulmonary Surfactant by Forming Heteroaggregates at the Alveolar–Capillary Interface
Scientists found that micro and nanoplastics from common products like foam packaging, lunch boxes, and water bottles can impair the function of pulmonary surfactant, the crucial substance that keeps our lungs from collapsing. Polystyrene foam particles caused the most damage, both in lab tests and in mice, where they triggered lung inflammation. The nanoplastic fraction, though a small part of the total mass, appeared to drive most of the harm by forming clumps with the surfactant at the air-liquid surface in the lungs.
Polystyrene nanoplastics enhance poxvirus preference for migrasome-mediated transmission
This study discovered that polystyrene nanoplastics help poxviruses spread between cells by enhancing a transport mechanism involving tiny cell-derived bubbles called migrasomes. When nanoplastics were present, virus-carrying migrasomes formed more readily and carried viral particles more efficiently. This finding suggests that nanoplastic pollution could potentially make certain viral infections spread more effectively, raising new concerns about the intersection of plastic pollution and infectious disease.
Advances in Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Exosome on Immune Cells in Scar Formation
This review examines how exosomes, tiny vesicles released by stem cells, can modulate immune responses and reduce excessive scarring during wound healing. While not directly about microplastics, the immune pathways discussed, particularly inflammation and tissue repair signaling, overlap with those disrupted by microplastic exposure. Understanding these healing mechanisms provides context for how microplastic-driven inflammation might interfere with normal wound repair and tissue recovery in the body.
Implication of ferroptosis in hepatic toxicity upon single or combined exposure to polystyrene microplastics and cadmium
This study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with cadmium caused more severe liver damage in mice than either pollutant alone. The microplastics absorbed cadmium on their surface, increasing the amount of the toxic metal delivered to liver cells, and triggered a type of cell death called ferroptosis. This is concerning because microplastics in the environment commonly carry heavy metals, meaning the combined exposure people face may be more harmful than we thought.
Activation of pyroptosis and ferroptosis is involved in the hepatotoxicity induced by polystyrene microplastics in mice
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles caused significant liver damage, including structural changes and impaired function. The study identified two specific cell death pathways, pyroptosis and ferroptosis, as key mechanisms driving the liver injury. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure may harm liver health through multiple biological pathways that warrant further investigation.
Intestinal flora and pregnancy complications: Current insights and future prospects
This review examines how changes in gut bacteria during pregnancy can contribute to complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth. An imbalanced gut microbiome during pregnancy poses risks to both mother and baby, and the review explores whether gut bacteria may even colonize the uterus and placenta. While not directly about microplastics, this is relevant because microplastic ingestion has been shown to disrupt gut bacteria, meaning microplastic exposure during pregnancy could potentially worsen these risks.
Exposure to polystyrene microplastics during lactational period alters immune status in both male mice and their offspring
This study found that when male mice were exposed to polystyrene microplastics during the nursing period, both the adult mice and their offspring showed changes in immune cell populations in the spleen. The microplastics altered the balance of different types of immune cells, suggesting the immune system was being disrupted. This is especially concerning because it shows that microplastic exposure during early life can affect immune development in the next generation.
Quantitative and sensitive analysis of polystyrene nanoplastics down to 50 nm by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in water
Researchers developed a highly sensitive method using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to detect and quantify polystyrene nanoplastics as small as 50 nanometers in water samples. The technique achieved detection limits far below what conventional methods can measure, enabling the identification of nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations. This advancement addresses a critical gap in nanoplastic monitoring, as most existing methods cannot reliably detect particles at such small sizes.