We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Early-life exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics disrupts metabolic homeostasis and gut microbiota in juvenile mice with a size-dependent manner
ClearThe role of gut microbiota in mediating increased toxicity of nano-sized polystyrene compared to micro-sized polystyrene in mice
This mouse study found that nano-sized polystyrene plastics were significantly more toxic than micro-sized ones, causing greater gut inflammation, liver damage, and metabolic disruption. The key difference was driven by how each size affected gut bacteria: nanoplastics caused a more severe shift toward harmful bacteria and away from beneficial ones. The findings suggest that the smallest plastic particles may pose the greatest health risk because they more dramatically disrupt the gut microbiome.
Polystyrene microplastics exposure: Disruption of intestinal barrier integrity and hepatic function in infant mice
Researchers found that even low concentrations of polystyrene microplastics caused significant gut barrier damage and liver injury in infant mice. The microplastics disrupted the intestinal lining, allowed particles to leak into the bloodstream, and triggered liver fat accumulation and altered gut bacteria colonization. The study raises concerns about microplastic exposure during early life, when developing digestive and liver systems may be especially vulnerable.
Polystyrene microplastics induce size-dependent multi-organ damage in mice: Insights into gut microbiota and fecal metabolites
A mouse study found that microplastics of different sizes cause damage to multiple organs, but in different ways. Smaller particles (0.5 micrometers) spread more widely through the body and caused more inflammation in the spleen, kidneys, heart, lungs, and liver, while larger particles (5 micrometers) caused worse gut damage and disrupted gut bacteria linked to brain inflammation. This suggests that the size of microplastics we are exposed to matters for which organs are most affected.
Maternal exposure to different sizes of polystyrene microplastics during gestation causes metabolic disorders in their offspring
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes during gestation and examined metabolic effects in their offspring. They found that maternal microplastic exposure altered cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and amino acid metabolism in the offspring, with larger 5-micrometer particles causing more pronounced effects. The study suggests that prenatal microplastic exposure may increase the risk of metabolic disorders in the next generation.
Negative impact of oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics on glucose tolerance and intestinal environment in mice is independent of particle size
Researchers fed mice on a high-fat diet polystyrene microplastics of three different sizes and found that all sizes impaired glucose tolerance, regardless of particle dimensions. The microplastics caused intestinal inflammation, altered gut bacteria, and damaged the lining of the intestinal tract. The study suggests that the harmful metabolic effects of ingesting microplastics may occur broadly and are not limited to one particular particle size.
Gestational exposure to polystyrene microplastics incurred placental damage in mice: Insights into metabolic and gene expression disorders
This mouse study found that when pregnant mice were exposed to tiny polystyrene microplastics (0.1 micrometers), the particles crossed the placenta and reached fetal livers and brains, causing placental damage and impaired fetal development. Larger microplastics (5 micrometers) were less able to cross the placenta, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk during pregnancy.
Polystyrene microplastics induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in mice
Researchers fed mice two sizes of polystyrene microplastics for five weeks and observed significant disruption of gut bacteria and changes in liver fat metabolism. The microplastics decreased mucus production in the gut and shifted the balance of key bacterial populations at multiple taxonomic levels. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can trigger gut microbiota imbalance in mammals, which may in turn affect metabolic health.
Size-dependent internalization of polystyrene microplastics as a key factor in macrophages and systemic toxicity
Researchers systematically tested how the size of polystyrene microplastics affects their uptake and toxicity in immune cells and mice. Smaller particles (0.5 micrometers) were taken up much more readily by immune cells and caused more damage, including mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death, compared to larger 5-micrometer particles. In living mice, smaller microplastics accumulated more in organs and caused broader changes in blood and metabolic markers, confirming that particle size is a key factor in microplastic toxicity.
Interactions between polystyrene-derived micro- and nanoplastics and the microbiota: a systematic review of multi-omics mouse studies
Researchers systematically reviewed 15 mouse studies and found that exposure to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics consistently disrupted gut bacteria — reducing beneficial species like Lactobacillus and increasing harmful ones — while also altering metabolic pathways throughout the body. Nanoplastics caused more severe microbiome disruption than larger microplastics, highlighting a serious health concern for humans.
Intergenerational neurotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics in offspring mice is mediated by dysfunctional microbe-gut-brain axis
Researchers found that mother mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics during pregnancy and nursing passed neurological harm to their offspring, with the babies showing brain inflammation, disrupted dopamine and serotonin signaling, and gut microbiome imbalances — suggesting that nanoplastic exposure before birth can damage the developing brain through the gut-brain connection.
Maternal Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure during Gestation and Lactation Altered Metabolic Homeostasis in the Dams and Their F1 and F2 Offspring
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene microplastics during pregnancy and nursing and found significant metabolic disruptions in both the mothers and their offspring across two generations. The microplastics altered lipid metabolism, gut microbiota composition, and key metabolic signaling pathways. The study suggests that microplastic exposure during critical developmental windows may have lasting health consequences that pass to future generations.
The toxicity of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics on rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) varies with the particle size and concentration
Scientists exposed rare minnow fish to polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics at different sizes and concentrations and found that both caused growth inhibition, tissue damage, and disrupted gut bacteria. Interestingly, larger microplastics at high concentrations were the most disruptive to gut microbiome communities, while nanoplastics caused more oxidative stress. The study shows that the health effects of plastic particles depend on both their size and amount, and that gut health is a key target of microplastic toxicity.
Size-dependent effects of polystyrene microplastics on gut metagenome and antibiotic resistance in C57BL/6 mice
Researchers investigated how the size of polystyrene microplastics affects gut microbiome composition and function in mice. The study found that smaller microplastic particles (0.05-0.1 micrometers) had a significantly greater impact on both bacterial and fungal gut communities, as well as metabolic pathways, compared to larger particles (9-10 micrometers). These results suggest that size-dependent effects are an important factor to consider when assessing the health risks of microplastic exposure.
Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles retarded fetal growth and triggered metabolic disorders of placenta and fetus in mice
Researchers exposed pregnant mice to polystyrene nanoplastics through drinking water and found that higher concentrations led to significantly reduced fetal weight. The nanoplastics caused abnormal cell structures in the placenta and disrupted metabolic processes in both placental tissue and fetal livers. The study suggests that maternal nanoplastic exposure during pregnancy can cross the placental barrier and interfere with normal fetal growth and metabolism.
Effects of partial reduction of polystyrene micro-nanoplastics on the immunity, gut microbiota and metabolome of mice
This mouse study examined whether partial gut degradation of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affects immune markers, gut microbiota, and metabolome, finding that nanoplastic exposure produced distinct immune and microbial changes compared to microplastic exposure. Notably, different exposure doses shifted the key bacterial species stabilizing gut microbial networks.
Microbiota-mediated metabolic perturbations in the gut and brain of mice after microplastic exposure
In a mouse study, oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics of two sizes altered the gut bacteria community and caused metabolic changes in both the intestines and the brain. The disrupted gut bacteria appeared to drive changes in bile acid, energy, and other metabolic pathways. These findings support the idea that microplastics in food and water could affect brain health indirectly by first disrupting the gut microbiome and its chemical signals.
A Western-style diet shapes the gut and liver responses to low-dose, fit-for-purpose polystyrene nanoplastics in mice
A subchronic mouse study found that low-dose polystyrene nanoplastics designed to mimic real-world particle characteristics impaired gut and liver health in a non-monotonic, diet-dependent manner, with Western-style diet amplifying the effects.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoparticles exposure induced anxiety-like behaviors, gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolism disorder in adult mice
A mouse study found that exposure to both micro- and nano-sized polystyrene particles caused anxiety-like behavior, disrupted gut bacteria, and altered metabolism. The nanoplastics caused more severe effects than the larger microplastics, and longer exposure periods made the damage worse. These findings support the idea that plastic particles can affect brain function and behavior through the gut-brain connection.
Polystyrene micro-/nanoplastics induced hematopoietic damages via the crosstalk of gut microbiota, metabolites, and cytokines
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found that the particles caused damage to the blood-forming system through disruption of gut bacteria, metabolic changes, and inflammatory signaling. Smaller nanoplastics caused more severe effects than larger microplastics, altering gut microbial communities and triggering systemic inflammation. The study reveals a previously unknown pathway by which ingested plastic particles may harm the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells.
Adolescent exposure to micro/nanoplastics induces cognitive impairments in mice with neuronal morphological damage and multi-omic alterations
Adolescent mice exposed to polystyrene nanoplastics showed significant memory and learning problems, along with neuron loss and reduced new brain cell growth in the hippocampus. The nanoplastics also disrupted gut bacteria and brain chemistry, with strong links found between gut microbiome changes and brain metabolic disruption, suggesting that plastic exposure during youth may impair brain development through the gut-brain connection.