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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Unveiling the systemic impact of airborne microplastics: Integrating breathomics and machine learning with dual-tissue transcriptomics
ClearDeleterious effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on rodent lungs: a systematic review
This systematic review summarizes research on how inhaled micro- and nanoplastics affect the lungs in animal studies. The findings show these particles can cause lung inflammation, tissue damage, and immune responses, suggesting that breathing in airborne microplastics may pose real risks to respiratory health.
Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology
Researchers exposed both healthy and asthmatic mice to airborne microplastics and found significant lung inflammation, immune activation, and increased mucus production in both groups. Microplastic particles were taken up by immune cells called macrophages, and gene analysis revealed changes in immune response, cellular stress, and cell death pathways. The study suggests that inhaling microplastics may worsen respiratory health in both normal and vulnerable populations.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induced lung injury in mice: Insights into lung metabolic disorders
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through the airway and found that the particles caused lung inflammation and tissue damage. Using metabolomics analysis, they discovered that the nanoplastics disrupted multiple metabolic pathways in lung tissue, with surface-modified particles causing more severe effects. The study provides evidence that inhaled nanoplastics can alter lung metabolism in ways that may contribute to respiratory health problems.
Characterisation of changes in global genes expression in the lung of ICR mice in response to the inflammation and fibrosis induced by polystyrene nanoplastics inhalation
Researchers exposed mice to inhaled polystyrene nanoplastics for two weeks and used microarray analysis to identify 115 differentially expressed lung genes, with inflammation and fibrosis pathways significantly upregulated — findings that propose specific gene biomarkers for monitoring nanoplastic-induced pulmonary damage.
In vivo toxicity assessment of microplastics in Balb/C mice : study of inhalation exposure and its inflammatory effects
Researchers examined the in vivo toxicity of inhaled microplastics in Balb/C mice, studying pulmonary inflammation, oxidative stress, and systemic effects following repeated inhalation exposure. The study found dose-dependent lung inflammation and evidence of particle translocation to other organs.
HoLDI mass spectrometry for rapid, solventless detection of airborne nanoplastics and co-occurring aerosol organics
Scientists developed a new, faster way to detect tiny plastic particles floating in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors. The method found plastic particles from common materials like polyethylene in indoor air and cancer-causing chemicals attached to nano-sized particles in outdoor air. This breakthrough could help us better understand how much plastic pollution we're breathing in and its potential health risks.
Integrative lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis unraveled polystyrene nanoplastics-induced liver injury via oral and inhalation exposure: All roads lead to Rome?
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through both oral ingestion and inhalation, and found that both routes caused liver damage but through different molecular pathways. Oral exposure mainly caused visible tissue damage, while inhaled nanoplastics triggered more severe inflammation and impaired the liver's ability to produce essential proteins. The study reveals that breathing in nanoplastics may be just as harmful to the liver as swallowing them, with different but equally concerning effects.
Airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics induce nasal and lung microbial dysbiosis in mice
Researchers found that airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics can induce microbial dysbiosis in the nasal passages and lungs of mice. The study showed that both micro- and nanoplastics altered airway microbiota composition, with microplastics having a stronger influence on lung bacterial communities, suggesting that inhaled plastic particles may disrupt respiratory microbial balance.
Effects of secondary microplastic on the respiratory system of BALB/c mice
Researchers exposed BALB/c mice to secondary microplastics derived from environmentally weathered plastic and assessed respiratory system effects. Secondary MPs caused greater pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress than virgin particles, suggesting that real-world aged plastics carry higher respiratory toxicity risks than pristine particles used in most laboratory studies.
Sentinel supervised lung-on-a-chip: A new environmental toxicology platform for nanoplastic-induced lung injury
Researchers built an advanced lung-on-a-chip device that mimics real lung tissue to study how inhaled nanoplastics cause lung injury. The study found that nanoplastics triggered inflammation and tissue damage patterns similar to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This new testing platform could help scientists better understand respiratory risks from airborne plastic particles without relying solely on animal studies.
Multi-dimensional evaluation of cardiotoxicity in mice following respiratory exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through inhalation and found that even short-term breathing exposure caused heart damage, including inflammation and weakened heart function. The damage got worse with higher doses and longer exposure times, with energy production in heart cells being disrupted through mitochondrial damage. This is one of the first studies to show that breathing in nanoplastics can directly harm the heart, raising concerns about airborne plastic particle exposure in humans.
Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics reveal the mechanism of polystyrene nanoplastics toxicity to mice
Researchers used gene expression and metabolic profiling to understand how polystyrene nanoplastics harm mice at the molecular level, finding disrupted energy metabolism, fat processing, and amino acid pathways in the liver. These molecular changes suggest that nanoplastic exposure could contribute to metabolic disorders, with effects becoming more severe at higher doses.
Airborne microplastics and their impact on human health: A critical review
This review analyzes the growing body of research on microplastics floating in indoor and outdoor air and their potential effects on human health. Evidence indicates that inhaled microplastics can trigger inflammatory responses and cellular damage in the lungs, liver, and reproductive system, and may carry toxic additives deeper into the body. The authors call for more interdisciplinary research to understand the long-term health implications of breathing in these tiny plastic particles.
Pulmonary toxicity assessment of polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene microplastic fragments in mice
Researchers tested the lung toxicity of three common plastic types -- polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene -- in mice by exposing them to microplastic fragments. The study assessed how these inhaled microplastic particles from everyday plastics affect lung health, which is relevant since humans regularly breathe in airborne microplastics.
Inhalation of Microplastics Induces Inflammatory Injuries in Multiple Murine Organs via the Toll-like Receptor Pathway
After mice inhaled polystyrene microplastics, the particles spread to the brain, liver, kidneys, spleen, and other organs within days, triggering widespread inflammation through a specific immune signaling pathway called TLR/NF-kB. These findings suggest that breathing in microplastics could cause inflammatory damage across multiple organ systems in the body.
Metabolomics‑driven, data‑augmented machine learning for predicting toxicity of microplastic mixtures
Scientists developed a computer model that can predict how harmful mixtures of microplastics (tiny plastic particles) might be to our cells without testing each combination individually. The model works by analyzing how these plastic particles change the way cells produce energy, which helps explain why microplastics can be toxic. This breakthrough could help researchers quickly assess health risks from the complex mix of microplastics we're exposed to in real life through food, water, and air.
Thyroid and parathyroid function disorders induced by short-term exposure of microplastics and nanoplastics: Exploration of toxic mechanisms and early warning biomarkers
Mice exposed to micro- and nanoplastics through both breathing and eating showed disrupted thyroid and parathyroid gland function in just a short exposure period. Microplastics ingested through food were more harmful to the thyroid, while inhaled nanoplastics caused the most damage to the parathyroid, which helps regulate calcium levels in the body. These findings suggest that everyday microplastic exposure could interfere with important hormone systems that affect metabolism and bone health.
Size-Resolved Identification and Quantification of Micro/Nanoplastics in Indoor Air Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
Scientists developed a new method to measure micro and nanoplastics in indoor air down to 56 nanometers in size, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. They found significant concentrations of plastic particles in both a laboratory and a private home, with polystyrene being the most common type, and also detected flame retardant chemicals associated with plastic furniture foam. This study provides some of the first evidence that people are breathing in substantial amounts of nanoscale plastic particles indoors, where most people spend the majority of their time.
Quantifying the Chemical Composition and Real-Time Mass Loading of Nanoplastic Particles in the Atmosphere Using Aerosol Mass Spectrometry
Scientists developed the first real-time method to measure nanoplastic particles in the air using a specialized instrument called an aerosol mass spectrometer. They detected polystyrene nanoplastics at an urban site in China at concentrations of around 47 nanograms per cubic meter, confirming that we are breathing in tiny plastic particles. This tool could help researchers better understand how much airborne nanoplastic pollution people are actually exposed to.
Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges
This review examines how microplastics deposited in human lungs can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced lung function. Because these tiny particles can reach deep into the lungs where oxygen enters the blood, they raise concerns about long-term respiratory disease and the possibility of spreading to other organs.
A review on microplastics: sources, environmental fate, degradation pathways, and analytical identification methods.
This review paper summarizes existing research on tiny plastic particles called microplastics and how scientists detect them in the environment. Microplastics are a growing concern because they contaminate our air, water, and food, potentially affecting human health when we breathe or eat them. The researchers found that new, cheaper detection methods could help us better monitor these plastic particles and understand their impact on our health and environment.
Whole transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed key RNA profiles and toxicity in mice after chronic exposure to microplastics
Researchers examined the long-term effects of environmental levels of microplastics on mice given polystyrene particles in drinking water for 180 days. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed significant changes in RNA expression profiles, with biochemical and histopathological examination showing organ-level impacts. The study suggests that chronic exposure to microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations can alter key molecular signaling pathways in mammals.
Microplastics and Metabolism: Physiological Responses in Mice Following Ingestion
Researchers found that mice orally exposed to microplastic microspheres showed changes in lipid metabolism and other metabolic pathways, with particles detected in tissues throughout the body. The effects were more pronounced when mice were exposed to mixed microplastic types compared to polystyrene alone, suggesting that real-world mixtures of microplastics may have broader physiological impacts.
Tissue Distribution of Polystyrene or Mixed Polymer Microspheres and Metabolomic Analysis after Oral Exposure in Mice.
Mice orally exposed to polystyrene or mixed polymer microspheres showed plastic particle distribution across multiple tissues including the liver, kidney, and spleen, with metabolomic analysis revealing distinct alterations in lipid, amino acid, and energy metabolism pathways.