Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Mechanistic study of plastic monomers in gestational diabetes mellitus: A network toxicology and molecular docking approach

Using network toxicology and molecular docking, researchers investigated how plastic monomers interact with molecular targets involved in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The analysis identified shared gene targets and signaling pathways linking plastic monomer exposure to insulin resistance and inflammatory mechanisms relevant to GDM development.

2025 PLoS ONE
Article Tier 2

Network toxicology and bioinformatics analysis reveal the molecular mechanisms of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in exacerbating diabetic nephropathy

This computational study used bioinformatics to explore how polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics might worsen diabetic kidney disease. The analysis identified key genes and inflammatory pathways that are affected by both PET microplastics and kidney damage in diabetes. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure could accelerate kidney problems in people who already have diabetes, though lab and clinical studies are needed to confirm this.

2025 Scientific Reports 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Polyethylene Terephthalate Associated Cardiotoxicity through Network Toxicology and Molecular Docking

Researchers used computational approaches including network toxicology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to explore how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics may affect cardiovascular function. The study identified potential molecular pathways through which PET exposure could contribute to cardiotoxicity. The findings provide a theoretical framework for understanding how plastic contaminants might interact with heart-related biological targets.

2026 ACS Omega
Article Tier 2

Assessing the toxicological impact of PET-MPs exposure on IVDD: Insights from network toxicology and molecular docking

Using computer modeling and molecular analysis, researchers identified key biological targets through which PET microplastics (the type found in plastic bottles) may contribute to spinal disc degeneration. The study found that PET particles could disrupt immune pathways, cell death processes, and tissue breakdown, suggesting a potential link between microplastic exposure and degenerative spinal conditions.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Analyzing the toxicological effects of PET-MPs on male infertility: Insights from network toxicology, mendelian randomization, and transcriptomics

Using network toxicology, Mendelian randomisation, and transcriptomic analysis, researchers identified mechanisms by which PET microplastics may impair male fertility, linking shared gene targets to testicular oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and spermatogenesis interference. The multi-evidence approach strengthens the case for a causal role of PET-MP exposure in male infertility.

2025 Reproductive Biology
Article Tier 2

Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics promote pulmonary fibrosis via AKT1, PIK3CD, and PIM1: A network toxicology and multi-omics analysis

Using computational toxicology and multi-omics analysis, researchers identified three key proteins (AKT1, PIK3CD, and PIM1) through which PET microplastics may promote pulmonary fibrosis, a serious scarring disease of the lungs. The microplastics appear to affect metabolic and inflammatory pathways in specific lung and immune cells. This study provides molecular evidence for how inhaled plastic particles from everyday items could contribute to chronic lung disease.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the toxicological effects of exposure to environmental pollutants PET-MPs on vascular diseases: insights from network toxicology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and experimental validation

Researchers used network toxicology, molecular docking, and cell experiments to investigate how PET microplastics may contribute to vascular diseases. They identified four core molecular targets and found that PET microplastics induced mitochondrial oxidative stress, increased reactive oxygen species, and promoted vascular smooth muscle cell death. The study provides initial molecular-level evidence that microplastic exposure may be a contributing factor in vascular damage and remodeling.

2025 Environmental Pollution 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrative network toxicology and molecular docking preliminarily explore the potential role of polystyrene microplastics in childhood obesity

Researchers used an integrative computational approach combining cross-species transcriptomics, network toxicology, and molecular docking to investigate potential links between polystyrene microplastic exposure and childhood obesity. They identified shared gene targets involved in lipid metabolism and insulin signaling pathways, with molecular docking confirming stable binding between microplastic compounds and key metabolic proteins. The findings provide a preliminary molecular hypothesis suggesting microplastics could disrupt metabolic processes relevant to obesity.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Integrated network toxicology, machine learning, molecular docking and experimental validation to elucidate mechanism of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics inducing periodontitis

Researchers combined computational biology, machine learning, and laboratory experiments to explore how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics might contribute to periodontitis, a common gum disease. They identified key molecular targets and signaling pathways through which microplastics could promote gum tissue inflammation. The study provides the first evidence linking microplastic exposure to the biological mechanisms underlying periodontal disease.

2025 Environment International 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Integrative network toxicology and molecular docking preliminarily explore the potential role of polystyrene microplastics in childhood obesity

Researchers used computational methods including network toxicology, machine learning, and molecular docking to explore how polystyrene microplastics might contribute to childhood obesity. They identified 40 overlapping genes between obesity-related and microplastic-affected pathways, concentrated in lipid metabolism and insulin signaling. The study suggests that polystyrene microplastics may act as environmental triggers capable of disrupting metabolic balance by interacting with key regulatory genes.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the toxicological effects of PET-MPs exposure on atherosclerosis through integrated network toxicology analysis and experimental validation

Researchers used network toxicology analysis and laboratory experiments to investigate how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics may contribute to atherosclerosis. They identified several molecular targets and biological pathways through which these microplastics could promote plaque formation in blood vessels. The study provides preliminary evidence that a commonly encountered type of microplastic may interact with cardiovascular disease mechanisms, though further research is needed to confirm these findings.

2026 Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The toxicological impact of PET-MPs exposure on atherosclerosis: insights from network toxicology, molecular docking, and machine learning

Researchers used network toxicology, molecular docking, and machine learning to identify how PET microplastics may promote atherosclerosis, narrowing 28 candidate targets to seven key genes and predicting interactions with atherosclerosis-relevant pathways including inflammation and lipid metabolism.

2025 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Exploring the micro- and nanoplastics–diabetes nexus: Shattered barriers, toxic links, and methodological horizons

This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to diabetes by disrupting blood sugar regulation, insulin signaling, and fat metabolism through oxidative stress and inflammation. Animal studies show that plastic particles can damage the pancreas, liver, and gut in ways that mirror the development of diabetes, though human studies are still limited. The review calls for more research into whether everyday microplastic exposure could be a hidden factor in the global rise of metabolic diseases.

2025 Environmental Pollution 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the pathogenic mechanisms of polyethylene terephthalate-microplastic-driven osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: PTGS2 signaling hub-oriented toxicity profiling

Researchers used computational analysis to investigate how PET microplastics might contribute to joint diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. They identified the PTGS2 gene, involved in inflammation, as a central hub connecting microplastic exposure to joint disease pathways. The study suggests that microplastics may worsen joint inflammation through specific molecular mechanisms, though further laboratory and clinical research is needed to confirm these computational findings.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A mixture analysis of urinary microplastic levels and risk of gestational diabetes

A study of pregnant women found novel evidence that urinary microplastic levels were associated with impaired glucose regulation, suggesting that microplastic exposure may contribute to the risk of gestational diabetes.

2025 Environment International
Article Tier 2

Environmental PET-microplastic exposure and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: An integrated computational toxicology and multi-omics study

Researchers used computational toxicology and machine learning to identify six key genes linking PET microplastic exposure to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with the model achieving high diagnostic accuracy and molecular docking suggesting that PET-derived chemicals may directly bind to proteins controlling liver fat metabolism.

2026 Naunyn-Schmiedeberg s Archives of Pharmacology
Article Tier 2

Integrative network toxicology and molecular docking preliminarily explore the potential role of polystyrene microplastics in childhood obesity

This study found that tiny plastic particles called polystyrene microplastics (found in food packaging and disposable cups) may contribute to childhood obesity by disrupting how the body processes fats and controls metabolism. The researchers discovered that these plastic particles can bind to and interfere with key genes responsible for managing cholesterol and insulin in the body. While more research is needed, these findings suggest parents should try to limit their children's exposure to disposable plastic food containers as a precaution against obesity risk.

2026 SAR and QSAR in environmental research
Article Tier 2

The impact of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: Focusing on network toxicology and target gene detection

Researchers used network toxicology and gene analysis to investigate how PET microplastics may influence atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries. They identified specific genes involved in inflammation and immune cell signaling that are affected by both PET exposure and atherosclerosis development. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could worsen cardiovascular disease through shared inflammatory pathways.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Maternal microplastic exposure during pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus associated with gut dysbiosis

Researchers reviewed evidence linking microplastic exposure during pregnancy to gestational diabetes, with additives in microplastics acting as endocrine disruptors that interfere with insulin signaling and disrupt the gut microbiome. The findings suggest that microplastic ingestion may contribute to blood sugar dysregulation in pregnant women, with implications for both mother and fetal health.

2023 Medicine in Microecology 10 citations
Article Tier 2

A mechanistic understanding of the effects of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to nanoplastics made from PET, the plastic commonly used in water bottles and food packaging. The nanoplastics accumulated in the liver, intestine, and kidneys, causing oxidative stress, damaging cell energy systems, and disrupting metabolism. This is the first comprehensive study of PET nanoplastic toxicity mechanisms, and it is particularly relevant because PET is one of the most common plastics that humans encounter daily.

2023 Scientific Reports 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Network Toxicology and Multi-omics Analysis

This is a duplicate entry for data and code supporting a computational study on how microplastics may contribute to diabetic kidney disease. The parent study used network analysis and molecular modeling to identify potential biological mechanisms linking microplastic exposure to kidney damage.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of nanoplastics toxicity to the human placenta in systems

Researchers evaluated the toxicity of ten different types of nanoplastics on human placental enzymes using molecular docking and computational analysis. They found that polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics showed the highest binding affinity to critical placental enzymes responsible for metabolic and detoxification functions. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy may interfere with placental enzyme activity, raising concerns about potential developmental effects.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Understanding the implications of microplastics on maternal health during pregnancy, gut dysbiosis, and gestational diabetes mellitus

This review examines how microplastic exposure during pregnancy may contribute to gut dysbiosis, inflammation, and metabolic complications including gestational diabetes. Researchers describe how micro- and nanoplastics can cross epithelial barriers, act as endocrine disruptors, and alter the gut-brain axis through neuroinflammatory effects. The study highlights the potential for microplastics to compound health risks during pregnancy through multiple biological pathways.

2025 Journal of Reproductive Healthcare and Medicine 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the prognostic implications of PET microplastic degradation products in colorectal cancer: insights from an integrated computational analysis on glucocorticoid pathway–mediated mechanisms

Combining network toxicology, machine learning, and molecular docking, this study found that PET plastic degradation products ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid may influence colorectal cancer prognosis through 43 shared genes linked to TNF/IL-17 signaling and glucocorticoid-mediated metabolic pathways.

2025 Figshare