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Papers
65 resultsShowing papers from Chongqing Medical University
ClearCausal relationship between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases: a mendelian randomization study
This Mendelian randomization study found genetic evidence supporting a causal relationship between specific gut microbiota compositions and gastrointestinal diseases. The findings suggest that microbiome-related interventions, including microbiome-dependent metabolites, could potentially be developed to treat or manage gastrointestinal conditions.
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.
Toxicological Research on Nano and Microplastics in Environmental Pollution: Current Advances and Future Directions
This review summarizes existing research on how nano- and microplastics from our massive global plastic production enter aquatic environments, absorb harmful chemicals, and move through food chains into living organisms. Studies show these particles can cause brain damage, disrupt metabolism, trigger inflammation, and produce harmful oxidative stress in aquatic species, with microplastics even detected in commercial fish that people eat.
Subchronic Exposure to Polystyrene Nanoplastics Disrupts Placental Development and Calcium Homeostasis: Insights from <i>In Vivo</i> and <i>In Vitro</i> Models
Pregnant mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics through drinking water showed abnormal placental development, increased fetal loss, and disrupted calcium balance in placental cells. The nanoplastics triggered a specific molecular pathway that interfered with calcium signaling in the placenta, suggesting that prenatal nanoplastic exposure could harm fetal development through placental dysfunction.
Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure triggers spermatogenic cell senescence via the Sirt1/ROS axis
Male mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics for 60 days showed damaged sperm-producing cells that displayed signs of premature aging, linked to a specific molecular pathway involving the Sirt1 protein and oxidative stress. This study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic exposure may harm male reproductive health by accelerating the aging of cells responsible for sperm production.
Polystyrene nanoplastics lead to ferroptosis in the lungs
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics trigger ferroptosis — a type of iron-driven cell death — in the cells lining the lungs by activating a stress signaling pathway (HIF-1α/HO-1), ultimately causing lung tissue injury. This adds to growing evidence that inhaled nanoplastics can directly damage respiratory tissue through oxidative cell death mechanisms.
Adverse effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the reproductive system: A comprehensive review of fertility and potential harmful interactions
This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics can harm both male and female reproductive systems by disrupting hormone signaling, damaging sperm and egg cells, and causing inflammation in reproductive tissues. Smaller nanoplastics are especially concerning because they can cross biological barriers more easily and reach the testes and ovaries. With global infertility rates rising, the authors highlight environmental plastic exposure as a factor that deserves more research attention.
Microplastics, plastics, and their products exposures and cancer: a pooled analysis
This pooled analysis of existing case-control studies found only a weak correlation between microplastic and plastic exposure and cancer risk. The authors caution that the evidence is limited by methodological problems in the available studies. While this does not rule out a cancer connection, it highlights the need for better-designed research to understand whether long-term microplastic exposure truly increases cancer risk in humans.
PPARγ mediated lysosomal membrane permeabilization and lipophagy blockage were involved in microplastics and di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate co-exposure induced immature testis injury
Mice exposed to both polystyrene microplastics and DEHP, a common plastic additive, suffered significantly worse testicular damage than those exposed to either substance alone. The combined exposure disrupted fat metabolism in reproductive cells by damaging lysosomes (cellular recycling centers) and blocking the normal breakdown of lipids. This is especially relevant to human health because people are typically exposed to microplastics and plastic additives like DEHP at the same time through everyday products.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induced retinal toxicity: Size-, dose-, and developmental stage-dependent effects on human neural retina organoids
Using lab-grown human retina organoids (miniature models of the developing eye), researchers showed that polystyrene nanoplastics can damage retinal cells in ways that depend on particle size, dose, and developmental stage. Smaller particles (100 nm) caused more severe harm than larger ones, reducing cell growth and disrupting the genes needed for normal eye development. When combined with cadmium, a heavy metal commonly found on microplastics, the damage was even worse, raising concerns about eye health effects from nanoplastic exposure.
Revealing the neurodevelopmental toxicity of face mask-derived microplastics to humans based on neural organoids
Using lab-grown human retinal tissue, researchers showed that microplastics released from face masks can interfere with early brain and eye development. The microplastics were absorbed into the neural tissue and disrupted cell growth, survival, and the formation of nerve connections in a dose-dependent manner. When combined with flame retardant chemicals commonly found in masks, the damage was even worse, raising concerns about the neurodevelopmental risks of face mask-derived microplastics.
Therapeutic Repair of Sperm Quality Decline Caused by Polytetrafluoroethylene
Researchers found that PTFE (Teflon), a type of microplastic commonly used in non-stick cookware, was detected in nearly half of human male reproductive tissue samples and accumulated in the urogenital system. In mice, PTFE exposure damaged sperm development, disrupted DNA repair, and reduced fertility. The study also identified a potential treatment target, offering hope that some of this reproductive damage could be reversed.
Prenatal and postnatal exposure to polystyrene microplastics induces testis developmental disorder and affects male fertility in mice
Researchers exposed pregnant mice and their offspring to polystyrene microplastics from gestation through early life and found significant disruption to testicular development and male reproductive function. The exposed males showed reduced sperm quality, lower testosterone levels, and structural damage to testicular tissue. The study suggests that early-life microplastic exposure may have lasting effects on male fertility.
Polystyrene microplastics disrupt the blood-testis barrier integrity through ROS-Mediated imbalance of mTORC1 and mTORC2
Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics can disrupt the blood-testis barrier in mice by triggering oxidative stress and disrupting cellular signaling pathways. The damage was linked to an imbalance between two protein complexes that regulate cell structure and barrier integrity in reproductive tissues. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may impair male reproductive health by compromising the protective barrier that shields developing sperm cells.
Trophic transfer induced gut inflammation, dysbiosis, and inflammatory pathways in zebrafish via Artemia franciscana: A differential analysis of nanoplastic toxicity
This study showed that nanoplastics transferred through the food chain — from brine shrimp to zebrafish — caused gut inflammation, disrupted the intestinal barrier, and shifted gut bacteria toward harmful species. Different types of nanoplastics activated different inflammatory pathways, but all caused damage. The findings are relevant to human health because they demonstrate how nanoplastics can become more concentrated and harmful as they move up the food chain toward the seafood we eat.
Developmental Toxicity of PEDOT:PSS in Zebrafish: Effects on Morphology, Cardiac Function, and Intestinal Health
Researchers found that PEDOT:PSS, a conductive polymer used in electronics and biomedical devices, was toxic to developing zebrafish, causing oxidative stress, reduced activity, heart development problems, and intestinal cell damage. This is important because as conductive polymers become more common in wearable technology and medical implants, their breakdown into micro- and nano-sized particles could pose health risks. The study highlights the need to evaluate the safety of new synthetic materials before widespread use.
Microplastics cause reproductive toxicity in male mice through inducing apoptosis of spermatogenic cells via p53 signaling
In a mouse study, polystyrene micro and nanoplastics taken orally for 60 days caused damage to sperm-producing cells in the testes by triggering a cell-death pathway called p53. Both larger microplastics and smaller nanoplastics led to tissue damage and increased cell death in reproductive organs. This research suggests that microplastic exposure could be a meaningful risk factor for male reproductive health.
Alleviating binary toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and atrazine to Chlorella vulgaris through humic acid interaction: Long-term toxicity using environmentally relevant concentrations
Researchers found that when nanoplastics and the herbicide atrazine were combined in water, they had a synergistic toxic effect on algae that was worse than either pollutant alone. However, adding humic acid, a natural substance found in soil and water, significantly reduced this combined toxicity by coating the nanoplastics and changing their surface properties. This suggests that natural organic matter in the environment may offer some protection against the harmful effects of nanoplastic-chemical mixtures.
Principal Sources, Fate, and Mechanism of Chemical Mixtures in the Environment
This review investigates the sources, formation pathways, and environmental fate of chemical mixtures, including how different pollutants interact when they coexist in natural settings. The study highlights that the combined effects of chemical mixtures on ecosystems and human health have been largely overlooked, even though real-world environmental contamination almost always involves multiple pollutants at once.
Plastic tableware use, microplastic accumulation, and sperm quality: from epidemiological evidence to FOXA1/p38 mechanistic insights
Researchers analyzed 200 human semen samples and detected microplastics in over 55 percent of them, with polystyrene and PVC being the most common types. Frequent use of plastic tableware was significantly associated with higher microplastic accumulation in semen and reduced sperm quality. Animal experiments confirmed the mechanism, showing that polystyrene microplastics trigger a specific molecular pathway that leads to cell death in sperm-producing cells.
Interactions between micro(nano)plastics and natural organic matter: implications for toxicity mitigation in aquatic species
This review examines how natural organic matter found in water can reduce the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic species. Researchers found that natural organic matter forms a coating called an eco-corona on plastic particles, which can decrease their toxicity to organisms like fish and water fleas. The findings suggest that the natural composition of waterways plays an important role in moderating the ecological impact of plastic pollution.
Takeaway food consumption and depressive symptoms in Chinese university students: mediating effects of physical activity
A study of Chinese university students found that frequent takeaway food consumption was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. The research also suggests that physical activity may help counteract these negative mood effects, pointing to lifestyle interventions that could support student mental health.
Micro(nano)plastics in commercial foods: A review of their characterization and potential hazards to human health
This review compiles evidence of micro- and nanoplastic contamination found in commercial food products including seafood, beverages, salt, sugar, and honey. Researchers summarize the various laboratory techniques used to isolate, identify, and quantify these particles in food samples. The study highlights that dietary intake is a major route of human microplastic exposure and calls for standardized detection methods to better assess the scope of contamination across the food supply.
Comparative toxicity of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene nanoplastics on <i>Artemia franciscana</i> nauplii: a multidimensional assessment
Researchers compared the toxic effects of three common plastic types — polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene — in nanoplastic form on brine shrimp larvae. They found that all three types caused harm, but polystyrene nanoplastics were the most toxic across multiple biological measures. The study provides the first direct comparison showing that the chemical composition of nanoplastics significantly influences their toxicity to aquatic organisms.