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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The heart of plastic: utilizing the Drosophila model to investigate the effects of micro/nanoplastics on heart function
ClearDrosophila melanogaster as a tractable eco-environmental model to unravel the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics
This review summarizes research using fruit flies as a model to study how micro- and nanoplastics harm living organisms. Studies show these tiny plastic particles cause oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and reproductive problems in flies, with males being more vulnerable than females -- findings that may help us understand similar risks in humans.
Effects of PET microplastics on the physiology of Drosophila
Researchers used Drosophila fruit flies as a model to study the physiological effects of PET microplastics, finding that ingestion affected reproduction, lifespan, and gut function. The study suggests that even common plastic types found in food packaging can have measurable biological effects when consumed by living organisms.
Polypropylene microplastics affect the physiology in Drosophila model
Researchers found that polypropylene microplastics negatively affected the physiology of Drosophila fruit flies, complementing earlier work on polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and demonstrating that different polymer types can impair organism health.
The effects of microplastics and nanoplastics upon history, policies, and Drosophila melanogaster
This study examined the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, finding that dietary exposure to these pervasive environmental contaminants causes measurable biological harm and making the case for stronger regulatory policies.
Metabolic effects of dietary exposure to polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic in fruit flies
Researchers used fruit flies as a model organism to study the metabolic effects of ingesting polystyrene microplastic and nanoplastic particles at environmentally relevant doses. They found that both particle sizes disrupted metabolic processes, with nanoplastics causing more pronounced changes in energy storage and lipid metabolism. The study suggests that dietary exposure to plastic particles, even at levels found in the environment, can meaningfully alter metabolic physiology.
Emerging cardiovascular risks of micro- and nanoplastics: toxic effects and mechanistic pathways
Tiny plastic particles called micro- and nanoplastics are getting into our bodies through food, air, and skin contact, and researchers have found them building up in people's hearts and blood vessels. This review of existing studies shows these plastic bits may contribute to heart disease by causing inflammation and damaging cells in the cardiovascular system. While more research is needed, this suggests that plastic pollution isn't just an environmental problem—it could be directly harming our heart health.
Zebrafish and Drosophila as Model Systems for Studying the Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics ‐ A Systematic Review
This systematic review examines how zebrafish and fruit flies are being used as model organisms to study the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on living systems. These animal models help researchers understand how plastic particles interact with biological tissues, providing insights that are relevant to potential human health effects.
The hazardous impact of true-to-life PET nanoplastics in Drosophila
Researchers created realistic nanoplastics by sanding commercial PET water bottles and tested their effects on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). They found that these true-to-life nanoplastics were internalized through the digestive tract and distributed throughout the body, causing measurable biological impacts. The study highlights the importance of testing with environmentally relevant plastic particles rather than only laboratory-grade materials to accurately assess health risks.
Nanoplastics and Microplastics and Their Impact on Male Reproduction—Uncovering the Hidden Hazards Using the Drosophila Model
Using Drosophila as a model organism, researchers investigated the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on male reproductive health, finding that exposure impaired reproductive output and sperm quality. The study validates Drosophila as an ethical, cost-effective model for assessing reproductive toxicity of microplastics.
Intake of polyamide microplastics affects the behavior and metabolism of Drosophila
Researchers found that exposure to polyamide microplastics altered feeding behaviour, reduced triglyceride and protein levels, and disrupted metabolism in Drosophila, with effects differing between sexes and increasing in severity at higher microplastic concentrations.
Cardiotoxicity of Microplastics: An Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factor
This review examines emerging evidence that microplastics may pose risks to cardiovascular health, summarizing findings from laboratory and animal studies. Researchers found that microplastic exposure has been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted heart function in experimental settings. Given that cardiovascular disease is already the leading cause of death globally, the study suggests that microplastics as a potential contributing factor warrant urgent further investigation.
No evidence for behavioral or physiological effects of nanoplastics ingestion in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
Researchers exposed Drosophila melanogaster to low and high concentrations of nanoplastics (1 µg/g and 1 mg/g) across several generations and measured emergence rate, mitochondrial activity, metabolism, body mass, and locomotion. No significant behavioral or physiological effects were detected, suggesting Drosophila may be less sensitive to nanoplastics than aquatic species.
Polystyrene nanoplastics trigger mitochondrial and metabolic reprogramming in cardiomyocytes: Evidence from integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can damage heart cells by disrupting their powerhouses (mitochondria) and reducing their ability to produce energy. When researchers exposed human heart cells and mice to these nanoplastics, they observed weakened heart function and signs of early heart damage. This research suggests that the growing amount of microscopic plastic pollution in our environment could pose previously unknown risks to heart health.
Toxicological Profile of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Microplastic in Ingested Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon R+) and Its Adverse Effect on Behavior and Development
Researchers fed PET microplastics to fruit flies and found that the particles accumulated in their bodies and caused dose-dependent declines in movement, climbing ability, and survival rates. Higher microplastic concentrations also slowed the flies' development from larvae to adults. While fruit flies are a simple model organism, these behavioral and developmental effects suggest that chronic microplastic ingestion could impair neurological and physiological functions in animals exposed through their diet.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect locomotion and daily activity ofDrosophila melanogaster
Uptake and effects of polystyrene micro- and nanospheres on Drosophila melanogaster were studied, finding that both sizes of plastic particles affected locomotion and daily activity patterns. The results suggest that microplastic and nanoplastic ingestion can disrupt behavioral functions in the fruit fly model.
Sex dimorphism and hormesis response to polystyrene microplastic exposure in kinematics and metabolism of Drosophila model based on deep learning
Researchers used fruit flies as a model organism to study how polystyrene microplastics affect insect behavior and metabolism, using deep learning to track movement patterns. They found notable differences between male and female responses, and observed a hormesis effect where low doses stimulated activity while higher doses were inhibitory. The study provides new insights into how microplastics may affect insect populations with potential implications for broader ecosystems.
Polyethylene microplastics induce behavioural and developmental deficits in the Drosophila model
Researchers generated polyethylene microplastics sized 2-10 micrometers and tested their effects on fruit flies (Drosophila). They found that exposure caused severe declines in fly longevity, reduced locomotor function in both larvae and adults, decreased eclosion rates, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity along with stress-response gene activation. The findings provide evidence that polyethylene microplastics can impair growth, development, and survival in a well-established animal model.
Neuromuscular, retinal, and reproductive impact of low-dose polystyrene microplastics on Drosophila
Researchers found that even low doses of polystyrene microplastics impaired neuromuscular signaling, altered retinal function, and reduced reproductive rates in fruit flies, with gene expression changes in key signaling pathways underlying these effects.
Polystyrene microplastics alter physiological parameters in the Drosophila model
Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and found dose- and size-dependent toxicity at both larval and adult stages. Exposure caused significant behavioral impairments, elevated markers of cellular stress, and activated key stress response genes, indicating that polystyrene microplastics induce oxidative stress and cellular damage.
Impacts of micro- and nanoplastic exposure on the cardiovascular system: a systematic review focused on in vivo studies
This systematic review summarizes 38 animal studies on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the heart and blood vessels. The research found that these tiny plastic particles can deposit in cardiovascular tissue, trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, and cause structural damage, raising concerns about potential heart health risks from ongoing plastic exposure.
Investigation of the effects of nanoplastic polyethylene terephthalate on environmental toxicology using model Drosophila melanogaster
Researchers synthesized polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics and fed them to fruit flies to assess their toxic effects. The nanoplastics caused increased oxidative stress, reduced survival rates, and impaired reproductive capacity in the exposed flies. The study demonstrates that PET nanoplastics, one of the most common plastic types in food and beverage packaging, can have measurable toxic effects on living organisms.
Size-dependent and sex-specific negative effects of micro- and nano-sized polystyrene particles in the terrestrial invertebrate model Drosophila melanogaster
Fruit flies exposed to low doses of polystyrene micro and nanoparticles for 28 days showed tissue damage in their gut, ovaries, and testes, with smaller particles causing more harm. The plastics triggered oxidative stress and cell death in gut tissue, though reproduction was not significantly affected at these doses. This study, using a well-established model organism, suggests that even low-level, long-term exposure to tiny plastic particles can damage internal organs, with potential implications for other species including humans.
Polyethylene microplastics affect behavioural, oxidative stress, and molecular responses in the Drosophila model
Fruit flies exposed to polyethylene microplastics showed reduced climbing and crawling ability, increased oxidative stress, and activation of genes involved in cell death and stress responses. The microplastics overwhelmed the flies' antioxidant defenses and triggered the same cellular damage pathways associated with disease in mammals. Since fruit flies share many biological pathways with humans, these findings suggest that microplastic exposure could cause similar oxidative damage and stress responses in human cells.
Changes in the wing shape and size in fruit flies exposed to micro and nanoplastics
Researchers exposed fruit flies to polystyrene nano- and microplastics during development and then measured changes in wing shape and size using geometric morphometrics. They found that exposed flies had altered wing dimensions compared to controls, with effects varying between males and females. The study demonstrates that plastic particle exposure during early development can produce measurable physical changes in organisms.