Papers

Meta-analysis of the effects of microplastic on fish: Insights into growth, survival, reproduction, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota diversity

A meta-analysis of 3,757 biological endpoints from 85 studies found that microplastic exposure significantly inhibits fish growth, survival, and reproduction while increasing oxidative damage, but does not significantly alter gut microbiota diversity. The severity of toxic effects depends on microplastic type, size, concentration, exposure pathway, and the fish's life stage.

Co-exposure with cadmium elevates the toxicity of microplastics: Trojan horse effect from the perspective of intestinal barrier

When mice were exposed to both microplastics and the toxic metal cadmium together, the health damage to their intestines and liver was significantly worse than exposure to either pollutant alone. The microplastics acted like a "Trojan horse," carrying cadmium past the gut barrier and increasing its accumulation in the body, while also disrupting the gut microbiome.

Polystyrene nanoplastics induce apoptosis, autophagy, and steroidogenesis disruption in granulosa cells to reduce oocyte quality and fertility by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway in female mice

Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles under 1 micrometer) impair egg cell quality in female mice by damaging the ovarian support cells that help eggs mature, triggering cell death and disrupting hormone production. These findings raise important questions about the potential reproductive risks of nanoplastic exposure in women.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between internal microplastic and health outcomes

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics during gestation and lactation caused fertility decline in female mouse offspring

When pregnant mice were exposed to nanoplastics during pregnancy and nursing, their female offspring had significantly reduced fertility as adults. The nanoplastics caused premature activation of egg cells in the ovaries and damaged crucial connections between eggs and their supporting cells. This raises concerns that a mother's exposure to nanoplastics could have lasting effects on her daughters' ability to have children.

Tiny trouble: microplastics, nanoplastics, and their heartfelt impact on cardiovascular health

This review summarizes growing evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human heart tissue, arterial plaques, and blood, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lab studies show these particles can damage blood vessel walls, disrupt cholesterol processing, trigger inflammation, and promote blood clot formation, raising serious concerns about heart health.

Microplastics and human health: unraveling the toxicological pathways and implications for public health

This review pulls together recent research on how microplastics enter the human body and cause cellular damage through inflammation, oxidative stress, and direct cell injury. The authors highlight that microplastics can also amplify the harmful effects of other environmental pollutants they carry, creating combined health risks that are greater than either threat alone.

Cardiotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and associated mechanism of myocardial cell injury in mice

Mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 42 days developed enlarged hearts, thinner heart walls, and weaker heart contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The nanoplastics triggered inflammation and oxidative stress in heart muscle cells through specific signaling pathways. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could contribute to heart disease, including a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Occurrence, toxicity and removal of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in human sperm

The ovarian-related effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on human ovarian granulosa cells and female mice

This study tested the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on both human ovarian cells in the lab and on female mice. The nanoplastics accumulated in ovarian tissue, caused cell death, disrupted hormone levels, and reduced egg quality and fertility in mice. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could threaten female reproductive health by damaging the ovaries.

Exposure to nanoplastics induces mitochondrial impairment and cytomembrane destruction in Leydig cells

Researchers exposed mouse Leydig cells (which produce testosterone) to 20-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics in the lab and found that the particles entered the cells and caused dose-dependent damage. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, destroyed mitochondria, disrupted cell membranes, and reduced testosterone production. This study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastics could harm male reproductive health by directly damaging the cells responsible for making testosterone.

Co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and triclosan induces synergistic cytotoxicity in human KGN granulosa cells by promoting reactive oxygen species accumulation

Researchers found that when human ovarian cells are exposed to both nanoplastics and triclosan (a common antibacterial chemical) at the same time, the toxic effects are worse than either one alone. The combination triggered more cell damage, harmful oxygen molecules, and cell death than individual exposure. This matters because people are typically exposed to multiple pollutants simultaneously, and this synergy could have implications for female reproductive health.

Exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces hepatotoxicity involving NRF2-NLRP3 signaling pathway in mice

Mice and liver cells exposed to 20-nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics developed liver damage through a specific molecular pathway involving oxidative stress and inflammation. The study showed that activating the body's natural antioxidant defense system (called NRF2) could protect against this liver injury, offering a potential avenue for reducing nanoplastic-related harm to human liver health.

Polystyrene microplastics induced nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress in juvenile rats

This study found that polystyrene microplastics caused kidney damage in young rats through a combination of oxidative stress, inflammation, and a cellular stress response called endoplasmic reticulum stress. The microplastics also reduced body weight growth and affected multiple organs including the heart and ovaries. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure during development could be particularly harmful to kidney health in young, growing organisms.

The reproductive and transgenerational toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics: A threat to mammalian fertility in both sexes

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics can accumulate in reproductive organs and harm fertility in both males and females. In animal studies, exposure led to damaged sperm, disrupted hormones, and abnormal ovary and uterus structure. Offspring of exposed mothers also showed metabolic problems, immune issues, and cognitive disorders, suggesting these particles may affect future generations.

Synergistic effect of PS-MPs and Cd on male reproductive toxicity: Ferroptosis via Keap1-Nrf2 pathway

A mouse study found that microplastics and the heavy metal cadmium work together to cause more severe damage to male reproductive organs than either pollutant alone. The combination triggered a form of cell death called ferroptosis by disrupting a key protective pathway in the body. This is the first study to show this synergistic reproductive harm, suggesting that microplastics can make other environmental toxins more dangerous.

Oral exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics reduced male fertility and even caused male infertility by inducing testicular and sperm toxicities in mice

Researchers fed male mice polystyrene nanoplastics of different sizes (25, 50, and 100 nm) for 56 days and found that all sizes reduced fertility and some caused complete infertility. The nanoplastics accumulated in the testes, causing oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation that damaged sperm and reproductive tissue. This study raises concerns that human exposure to nanoplastics through food and water could contribute to declining male fertility.

La-doped Ti/Sb-SnO2 electrode enhanced removal of microplastics by advanced electrocatalysis oxidation process (AEOP) strategy

Scientists developed an improved electrode using a rare earth element called lanthanum that can break down microplastics in water through an advanced electrical process. After 3 hours of treatment, the system removed about 28% of microplastics by generating powerful chemical reactions that attack the plastic particles. This technology could offer a new way to clean microplastic-contaminated water.

Polystyrene microplastics disturb maternal glucose homeostasis and induce adverse pregnancy outcomes

Pregnant mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics developed abnormal blood sugar levels and experienced poor pregnancy outcomes, including placental damage and restricted fetal growth. The study found that microplastics disrupted glucose metabolism through inflammation and a cellular stress response, suggesting that microplastic exposure during pregnancy could contribute to complications similar to gestational diabetes.

Abamectin Causes Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish Embryos

This study found that abamectin, a widely used agricultural pesticide, caused brain damage and nerve cell death in developing zebrafish embryos through oxidative stress. While not about microplastics, the research is relevant because microplastics can absorb and transport pesticides like abamectin through water systems, potentially delivering concentrated doses to aquatic organisms. Understanding pesticide neurotoxicity helps explain how chemical-laden microplastics could harm both wildlife and human nervous system development.

Effects of microplastics and tetracycline induced intestinal damage, intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, and antibiotic resistome: metagenomic analysis in young mice

Young mice exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and the antibiotic tetracycline suffered worse intestinal damage than those exposed to either pollutant alone. The combination severely disrupted the gut barrier, altered gut bacteria, and increased antibiotic resistance genes in the intestines. This is especially concerning for children, whose developing gut systems may be more vulnerable to the combined effects of microplastics and antibiotics commonly found in the environment.

Maternal co-exposure to Cd and PS-NPLs induces offspring ovarian inflammatory aging via promoting M1 macrophage polarization

Researchers co-exposed pregnant mice to cadmium and polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy and lactation, finding that this combination disrupted sex hormones in female offspring and promoted M1 macrophage polarization in ovarian tissue — a pro-inflammatory state associated with accelerated ovarian aging — via gut microbiota disruption and TLR4 signaling activation.

Impact of Enzymatic Degradation Treatment on Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Capacity, and Prebiotic Activity of Lilium Polysaccharides

This study found that breaking down lily plant sugars into smaller pieces through enzyme treatment improved their antioxidant properties and ability to support beneficial gut bacteria. The smaller sugar molecules promoted the growth of helpful bacteria like Bacteroides while the original form mainly suppressed harmful bacteria. While not about microplastics, the research is relevant because a healthy gut microbiome may help the body better cope with environmental stressors including microplastic exposure.

Preparation and application of metal-modified biochar in the purification of micro-polystyrene polluted aqueous environment

Researchers developed iron-modified biochar, a charcoal-like material, that can remove over 96% of polystyrene microplastics from water under controlled lab conditions. The material worked well in tap water and lake water but was less effective in heavily polluted water with high levels of organic matter. This type of low-cost water treatment technology could help reduce the amount of microplastics in drinking water, though more work is needed to apply it at larger scales.