Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Amino-Functionalized Polystyrene Nano-Plastics Induce Mitochondria Damage in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Researchers found that amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics can damage mitochondria in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which line blood vessels. The study suggests that nanoplastics small enough to enter the body through the food chain may pose risks to the cardiovascular system by disrupting cellular energy production and triggering oxidative stress in vascular cells.

2022 Toxics 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics target electron transport chain complexes in brain mitochondria

Researchers investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on mitochondrial function in rat brain tissue. They found that nanoplastic exposure significantly impaired the electron transport chain, specifically disrupting electron flow between respiratory complexes I-III and II-III in both synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondria. The findings reveal a potential mechanism by which nanoplastics could contribute to brain energy metabolism deficits and neurotoxicity.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Plastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Dissection of the potential mechanism of polystyrene microplastic exposure on cardiomyocytes

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect human heart muscle cells at concentrations reflecting estimated daily human intake levels. They found that the microplastics caused oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupted calcium signaling in the cells. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may contribute to cardiovascular risks by directly damaging heart cell function at the cellular level.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing micro and nanoplastics toxicity using rodent models: Investigating potential mitochondrial implications

This review examines recent rodent studies investigating how micro- and nanoplastics affect cellular health, with a focus on potential mitochondrial impacts. Researchers found that while no study has directly targeted mitochondrial effects, several reported molecular and biochemical changes consistent with disrupted mitochondrial function, including oxidative stress. The study suggests that mitochondria may be an important but understudied target of micro- and nanoplastic toxicity.

2023 Toxicology 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Mitochondria

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics can damage mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells that are critical for metabolism and cell survival. Researchers found that plastic particle exposure can trigger oxidative stress, disrupt mitochondrial membrane function, and interfere with energy production pathways. Since mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to numerous health conditions, the study suggests this may be a key mechanism through which plastic pollution affects human health.

2022 Metabolites 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Cytotoxic and dysmetabolic impact of polystyrene nanoplastics, a new potential atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factor, on a steatosis model of HepG2 cells

Researchers exposed cell cultures to polystyrene nanoplastics and found significant cytotoxic effects and metabolic disruption including mitochondrial dysfunction and altered glucose metabolism, suggesting nanoplastics may act as a novel class of metabolic disruptors.

2025 European Atherosclerosis Journal
Article Tier 2

Unmasking the Invisible Threat: Biological Impacts and Mechanisms of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Cells

This review summarizes how polystyrene nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles found throughout the environment, damage cells through multiple pathways including oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nanoplastics can trigger several forms of cell death and disrupt normal cell processes like autophagy (the cell's recycling system). The findings raise concerns about long-term human health effects from chronic exposure to these nearly invisible plastic particles.

2024 Toxics 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental nanoplastics induce mitochondrial dysfunction: A review of cellular mechanisms and associated diseases

This review summarizes how nanoplastics, which are small enough to enter individual cells, damage mitochondria (the energy-producing structures inside cells) by disrupting their shape, function, and ability to produce energy. This mitochondrial damage has been linked to a range of diseases including neurodegeneration, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive problems. The findings help explain why nanoplastic exposure may contribute to multiple chronic health conditions through a common cellular mechanism.

2025 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Review Tier 2

Influence of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Mitochondrial Function in the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Current Literature

This review examined the limited but growing research on how micro- and nanoplastics may affect mitochondrial function in the cardiovascular system. Researchers noted that these plastic particles can trigger oxidative stress and disrupt normal mitochondrial processes, which are critical for heart and blood vessel health. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive research given the rising levels of plastic particle contamination and the importance of mitochondrial health in preventing cardiovascular problems.

2024 Physiological Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Probing Long-Term Impacts: Low-Dose Polystyrene Nanoplastics Exacerbate Mitochondrial Health and Evoke Secondary Glycolysis via Repeated and Single Dosing

This study exposed human intestinal cells to low doses of polystyrene nanoplastics over 12 days and found that repeated exposure caused cumulative damage to mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells. Even concentrations considered environmentally realistic impaired cellular energy production and forced cells to switch to a less efficient backup energy system. This suggests that long-term, everyday nanoplastic exposure through food could gradually harm gut health in ways that might not be immediately noticeable.

2024 Environmental Science & Technology 10 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

Cytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics involves mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage in hemocytes of the Pacific oyster

Researchers used an in vitro cellular bioassay with Pacific oyster hemocytes to investigate the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics, finding that 24-hour exposure caused mitochondrial dysfunction, elevated reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage. The results identify immune cell mitochondria as key targets of nanoplastic cytotoxicity in marine bivalves.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics exposure-induced mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to disrupted stem cell differentiation in human cerebral organoids

Using lab-grown human brain organoids (miniature brain models), researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics damaged mitochondria (the energy-producing structures in cells), leading to increased cell death and disrupted development of brain stem cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could interfere with how brain cells develop and function, raising concerns about the neurological effects of environmental plastic pollution on humans.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Hazard assessment of different-sized polystyrene nanoplastics in hematopoietic human cell lines

Researchers tested how different sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics (50, 200, and 500 nm) affect human blood cell lines. While none of the sizes caused direct cell death, all three were taken up by cells and disrupted mitochondrial function in immune-related cell types. The study suggests that even without killing cells outright, nanoplastics may interfere with important cellular energy processes, with effects varying by particle size and cell type.

2023 Chemosphere 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellular and bioenergetic effects of polystyrene microplastic in function of cell type, differentiation status and post-exposure time

Researchers tested polystyrene microplastics on human lung, colon, and liver cells and found that even a single exposure had lasting effects on cell energy production and caused oxidative stress that continued for 12 days after exposure ended. Colon cells were particularly affected, showing signs of mitochondrial dysfunction long after the initial contact with microplastics. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure through food could cause sustained damage to intestinal cells even after the particles have passed through the body.

2023 Environmental Pollution 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Polystyrene Nanoplastics Induced Cardiotoxicity Under Different Dietary Patterns in Mice

Researchers exposed mice fed different dietary patterns to polystyrene nanoplastics and assessed cardiac toxicity. The study found that dietary habits significantly modulated nanoplastic-induced heart damage, demonstrating that diet is an important variable in evaluating the health risks of foodborne plastic contaminants.

2025 Toxics
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics Penetrate Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle and Small Airway Epithelial Cells and Affect Mitochondrial Metabolism

When human lung cells were exposed to 25 and 50 nanometer polystyrene nanoplastics in the lab, the particles penetrated both airway lining cells and the smooth muscle cells underneath, including cells from asthmatic donors. The nanoplastics disrupted the cells' energy-producing mitochondria, impairing both normal oxygen-based metabolism and backup energy pathways -- demonstrating a direct mechanism by which inhaled nanoplastics could harm respiratory health.

2024 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics/nanoplastics contribute to aging and age-related diseases: Mitochondrial dysfunction as a crucial role

This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics may contribute to aging and age-related conditions by damaging mitochondria, the energy-producing structures inside cells. Researchers describe how these tiny plastic particles enter the body through food, water, and air, and accumulate in various organs where they can disrupt normal mitochondrial function. The study suggests that microplastic-driven mitochondrial damage could be an underappreciated factor in the aging process and related health decline.

2025 Food and Chemical Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Human Gastrointestinal Models—Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity

This review summarizes current knowledge on how polystyrene nanoplastics affect human gastrointestinal cells at the molecular level. Researchers found that once internalized, these particles can trigger oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and disruptions to calcium signaling and metabolism. The evidence indicates that nanoplastics interact with biological systems in complex ways that may compromise cellular integrity in the digestive tract.

2025 International Journal of Molecular Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation of functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics in sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) and their toxic effects on oxidative stress, energy metabolism and mitochondrial pathway

This study investigated how different types of polystyrene nanoplastics accumulate in sea cucumbers and affect their health. Researchers found that nanoplastics built up in the animals' tissues and caused oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism, and damaged mitochondrial function. The findings suggest that the surface chemistry and size of nanoplastics influence how toxic they are to marine organisms.

2023 Environmental Pollution 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics and Human Health: Hazard Identification and Biointerface

This review covers what we know about nanoplastics and their potential effects on human health, including how they enter the body and what happens when they get inside cells. Nanoplastics can penetrate cell membranes and damage internal structures like mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in cells. The review also discusses strategies to reduce nanoplastic levels in the environment to protect human health.

2022 Nanomaterials 233 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics as a Potential Environmental Health Factor: From Molecular Interaction to Altered Cellular Function and Human Diseases

This review examined how nanoplastics — particularly polystyrene — interact with cells at the molecular level, potentially causing lasting changes that could contribute to developmental problems and degenerative disease. The study highlights growing concerns about nanoplastics as an emerging environmental health risk given their widespread presence in food, water, and air.

2021 Serbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellular and Systemic Impacts of Microplastics and Nanoplastics

This review synthesized evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics cause cellular and systemic harm through inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endocrine disruption across multiple organ systems. The authors emphasize that exposure is ubiquitous and that health impacts are no longer speculative.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)