Papers

61,005 results
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Meta Analysis Tier 1

Is microplastic an oxidative stressor? Evidence from a meta-analysis on bivalves

Microplastics induce time-dependent oxidative stress in bivalves, with antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, SOD) increasing during short-term exposure but declining after long-term exposure, while glutathione levels and catalase activity remained elevated throughout and may serve as reliable biomarkers of sublethal microplastic effects.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 199 citations
Article Tier 2

Sub-acute polyethylene microplastic inhalation exposure induced pulmonary toxicity in wistar rats through inflammation and oxidative stress

Researchers exposed rats to airborne polyethylene microplastics through inhalation for 28 days and found significant signs of lung damage. The exposed animals showed increased inflammation markers, elevated oxidative stress, and tissue changes in the lungs compared to controls. The study provides evidence that breathing in microplastic particles from degraded plastic bags and bottles may cause pulmonary toxicity.

2025 Toxicology Reports 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake of Breathable Nano- and Micro-Sized Polystyrene Particles: Comparison of Virgin and Oxidised nPS/mPS in Human Alveolar Cells

Researchers found that environmentally aged (oxidised) nano- and microplastics were rapidly taken up by human lung cells and caused significantly greater DNA damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial impairment compared to pristine particles, highlighting the heightened health risks of weathered airborne plastics.

2023 Preprints.org 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure to microplastics leads to a defective ovarian function and change in cytoskeleton protein expression in rat

Researchers exposed female rats to polystyrene microplastics over multiple reproductive cycles and found, for the first time, that the particles accumulated in different parts of the ovarian tissue. The microplastics reduced ovarian weight, disrupted the normal development of egg follicles, altered the reproductive cycle, and lowered estrogen levels. The study suggests these effects are driven by oxidative stress and changes in key structural proteins within the ovary.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Concerning influences of micro/nano plastics on female reproductive health: focusing on cellular and molecular pathways from animal models to human studies

This review summarizes research showing that micro- and nanoplastics can harm the female reproductive system in multiple ways, from reducing ovarian reserves and disrupting hormone balance to accumulating in the placenta and breast milk. Animal studies show these particles trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in reproductive tissues, and human studies have confirmed their presence in placental tissue and infant feces, raising concerns about effects on fertility and fetal development.

2024 Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics cause granulosa cells apoptosis and fibrosis in ovary through oxidative stress in rats

Researchers exposed female rats to polystyrene microplastics at different concentrations for 90 days and examined the effects on their ovaries. The study found that microplastic exposure caused cell death and tissue scarring in the ovaries through oxidative stress, suggesting that microplastics may have implications for female reproductive health.

2020 Toxicology 415 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effect of Subacute Exposure to Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Microplastics on Oxidative Stress and Membrane Damage in Alveolar Macrophage Cells of Rattus Norvegicus Wistar Strain

Researchers exposed rat alveolar macrophage cells to low-density polyethylene microplastics via inhalation and measured oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes) and membrane damage markers. Subacute microplastic inhalation increased oxidative stress indicators and membrane damage in lung immune cells, suggesting that inhaled plastic particles impair the lungs' front-line defenses.

2025 Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene-microplastics and DEHP co-exposure induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and necroptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in mice by promoting ROS production

Researchers found that co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and DEHP (a common plastic additive) caused more damage to mouse ovarian cells than either pollutant alone, triggering excessive oxidative stress that led to DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death. These findings suggest that microplastics combined with their chemical additives may pose a synergistic threat to female reproductive health.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 193 citations
Article Tier 2

P-266 Profiling redox effects induced by micro-nanoplastics in the female reproductive system: insights from human granulosa cells

Researchers showed that nano- and microplastics are taken up by human granulosa cells and cause changes in viability, energy production, and antioxidant responses. The findings provide early evidence that plastic particles can interfere with cellular redox balance in the female reproductive system.

2024 Human Reproduction 1 citations
Clinical Trial Tier 1

A review of the impact of micro‐ and nanoplastics on female reproduction: What we know and gaps in knowledge

This review examines what is known about how micro- and nanoplastics affect female reproductive health. Animal studies show these particles accumulate in ovarian tissue, disrupt hormones, and cause oxidative stress, leading to hormonal imbalances and ovarian damage, though research in humans is still limited.

2025 International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Impact of Polyethylene Nano/Microplastic Exposure on Human Vaginal Keratinocytes

Researchers exposed human vaginal skin cells to polyethylene micro and nanoplastics similar to what might be released from disposable period products. At high concentrations, the plastic particles were taken up by cells and caused cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This is the first study to address this specific exposure route, highlighting a potential women's health concern from microplastics in menstrual products.

2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 45 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Effects of micro/nanoplastics on oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice: a meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of 36 studies in rats and mice found that micro/nanoplastics significantly increase oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA) and liver enzymes (ALT, AST) while depleting antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH, GPx, CAT). Smaller particles administered orally over longer durations caused the most pronounced damage, with the liver showing the highest elevations in biochemical stress markers.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 7 citations
Article Tier 2

The effect of microplastics on oxidative stress appearance and activity of antioxidant enzymes in onion (Allium cepa L.) roots

Researchers exposed onion (Allium cepa) roots to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and polymethyl methacrylate microplastics (PMMA-MPs) at concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/L, measuring oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity. While root growth was largely unaffected and reactive oxygen species did not accumulate to toxic levels, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, PPX) increased at all concentrations, with PS-MPs showing stronger effects than PMMA-MPs.

2024 Repository of the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Article Tier 2

Reproductive toxicity of microplastics role of oxidative stress in cellular and molecular damage

This review synthesizes in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological evidence on how microplastics cause reproductive toxicity, focusing on oxidative stress as the central mechanism. MPs infiltrate reproductive tissues, generate reactive oxygen species, and disrupt gametogenesis, hormone regulation, and embryonic development across multiple species.

2025 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
Article Tier 2

Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on lipid profile and oxidative stress status of male and female Wistar rats

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastic exposure in Wistar rats caused significant alterations in lipid profiles and increased oxidative stress markers, with effects varying between male and female rats and between pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam forms.

2022 Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental Microplastics Exposure and Its Biochemical Impacts on Human Oxidative Stress Markers: A Clinical Chemistry Perspective

This clinical chemistry review examined how environmental microplastic exposure affects oxidative stress markers in humans, synthesizing evidence on circulating reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme changes, and inflammatory biomarkers. The authors found consistent evidence that MNP exposure elevates markers of oxidative damage across multiple tissue types.

2025 European Journal of Medical and Health Research
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Microplastics Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Juvenile Rats Associated with Oxidative Stress and Activation of the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP Signaling Pathway

Researchers exposed juvenile female rats to polystyrene microplastics and found significant ovarian damage, including increased follicle death and reduced hormone levels. The microplastics triggered oxidative stress and activated a specific cellular stress pathway that led to programmed cell death in ovarian tissue. The study suggests that early-life microplastic exposure may pose risks to reproductive development in mammals.

2023 Toxics 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Do microplastics induce oxidative stress in marine invertebrates?

This review examined whether marine invertebrates exposed to microplastics show evidence of oxidative stress — a common cellular response to toxic injury — finding support for this effect across multiple species and polymer types. Oxidative stress is a key mechanism by which microplastics may harm marine organisms.

2018 Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar-und Meeresforschung (Alfred-Wegener-Institut) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity Induced by Micro-and Nanoplastics through Oxidative Stress: The Role of Co-Exposure to Other Chemical Pollutants

This review examined how micro- and nanoplastics cause oxidative stress — a form of cellular damage — in living organisms, particularly when combined with other chemical pollutants in the environment. Co-exposure to microplastics and chemicals like pesticides or heavy metals tends to be more damaging than either pollutant alone.

2021 International Journal of Zoology and Animal Biology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Uterine Microvascular Dysfunction After Plastic Particle Inhalation

Researchers investigated uterine microvascular reactivity in female Sprague Dawley rats after acute inhalation of aerosolized plastic particles to assess cardiovascular effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposures. The study aimed to define mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction caused by plastic aerosols, building on prior epidemiological work linking airborne particulate matter to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

2022 The FASEB Journal 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects

This review examines how microplastics cause oxidative stress, a condition where harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells. Microplastics have been linked to DNA damage, cell membrane disruption, mitochondrial problems, inflammation, and cell death, all driven by oxidative stress. These effects may contribute to serious health conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease, though the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the risks.

2024 Antioxidants 196 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics, Endocrine Disruptors, and Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Health Implications

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress as a central mechanism of toxicity across multiple organ systems, including reproductive, cardiovascular, hepatic, and neurological tissues. The study highlights that these particles often carry endocrine-disrupting chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates, which together generate reactive oxygen species, impair mitochondrial function, and compromise antioxidant defenses.

2025 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Single inhalation exposure to polyamide micro and nanoplastic particles impairs vascular dilation without generating pulmonary inflammation in virgin female Sprague Dawley rats

A single inhalation exposure to polyamide (nylon) micro and nanoplastic particles impaired blood vessel function in female rats without causing obvious lung inflammation. This suggests that inhaled plastic particles may harm the cardiovascular system through pathways that do not involve the lungs directly. The finding is concerning because it means even brief exposure to airborne microplastics could affect heart and blood vessel health in ways that might go unnoticed.

2023 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Inhaled microplastics and lung health: Immunopathological effects and disease implications

This review examines the molecular mechanisms by which inhaled microplastics damage lung health, focusing on oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune disruption. Researchers found that microplastics trigger reactive oxygen species production, deplete antioxidants, impair mitochondrial function, and compromise immune defenses in lung tissue. The evidence indicates that microplastics may also act as carriers for other toxic pollutants, amplifying respiratory health risks.

2025 Food Bioscience 1 citations