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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Ingestion of polyethylene terephthalate microplastic water contaminants by Xenopus laevis tadpoles negatively affects their resistance to ranavirus infection and antiviral immunity
ClearPolyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect gut microbiota distribution and intestinal damage in mice
Mice exposed to PET microplastics, the type commonly found in plastic bottles, developed intestinal inflammation, changes in gut bacteria, and signs of a weakened gut barrier. Even at relatively low doses, the microplastics increased liver stress markers and disrupted the protective mucus layer in the colon, suggesting that everyday PET plastic exposure could contribute to digestive health problems.
Immunological impacts of exposure to microplastic water contaminants during early development in Xenopus 2357
Researchers used Xenopus frogs—whose immune system parallels key human features—to study how early developmental microplastic exposure affects immune system development, finding disruption of both innate and adaptive immune components with potential relevance to human susceptibility to infection.
A mechanistic understanding of the effects of polyethylene terephthalate nanoplastics in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to nanoplastics made from PET, the plastic commonly used in water bottles and food packaging. The nanoplastics accumulated in the liver, intestine, and kidneys, causing oxidative stress, damaging cell energy systems, and disrupting metabolism. This is the first comprehensive study of PET nanoplastic toxicity mechanisms, and it is particularly relevant because PET is one of the most common plastics that humans encounter daily.
Toxic effects of environmental-relevant exposure to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) micro and nanoparticles in zebrafish early development
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to PET plastic micro and nanoparticles at levels found in the environment and observed toxic effects including reduced tail movement, faster heart rates, and changes in eye development. The smaller nanoplastic particles were especially concerning because they are more easily absorbed by developing organisms. These findings suggest that PET plastic pollution in water could harm fish development, raising questions about effects on other species exposed through contaminated water.
Microplastics ingestion induces plasticity in digestive morphology in larvae of Xenopus laevis
Researchers found that Xenopus laevis tadpoles exposed to microplastics exhibited digestive tract plasticity — increasing intestinal length — as an adaptive response to the reduced nutritional quality of food diluted with indigestible plastic particles.
Genotoxicity, mutagenicity and immunotoxicity assessment of microplastics and nanoparticle mixture in bullfrog tadpoles
Researchers exposed bullfrog tadpoles to polyethylene microplastics and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, both individually and in combination, for 15 days to assess genetic damage and immune effects. While the pollutants did not cause direct DNA damage at the tested concentrations, the microplastics alone and in combination with nanoparticles triggered changes in immune cell composition. The study suggests that even at relatively low concentrations, microplastics can alter immune function in amphibians, which are among the most threatened vertebrate groups worldwide.
Nanoplastic-induced microbiome shifts reduce Daphnia fitness and increase parasite reproduction
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (called nanoplastics) can harm the gut bacteria of small water creatures called Daphnia, making them weaker and more likely to get sick from parasites. This matters because nanoplastics are everywhere in our environment - including our drinking water and food - and they might be disrupting the helpful bacteria in our own bodies too. The study suggests that plastic pollution could be weakening immune systems by damaging the good microbes that help protect us from disease.
Maternal ingestion of polyethylene microplastics results in reduced antiviral responses by dysregulating the immune system in their progeny
Researchers found that mice exposed to polyethylene microplastics during pregnancy transferred particles to offspring, and those offspring showed impaired antiviral immune responses. The findings suggest that maternal microplastic exposure can programme immune dysfunction in the next generation through disruption of developing immune systems.
Assessment of dietary polyvinylchloride, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate exposure in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Bioaccumulation, and effects on behaviour, growth, hematology and histology
Nile tilapia fish fed three common types of microplastics (PVC, polypropylene, and PET) showed reduced growth, abnormal behavior, blood cell damage, and tissue damage in their gills, liver, and intestines. The harmful effects increased with higher doses of microplastics and varied by plastic type. Since tilapia is one of the most widely consumed fish globally, these findings raise concerns about the health of fish that may carry microplastic contamination to human diets.
Harmful effects of true-to-life nanoplastics derived from PET water bottles in human alveolar macrophages.
Researchers tested nanoplastics derived from actual PET water bottles on mouse lung immune cells, focusing specifically on cells that had internalized the particles. Even though the nanoplastics were taken up by 100% of cells at the highest dose, they did not cause outright cell death. However, they did trigger significant increases in reactive oxygen species and shifted the immune cells toward a pro-inflammatory state, suggesting that inhaled nanoplastics from everyday plastic products could promote chronic lung inflammation.
Acute Toxicity Assessment of Orally Administered Microplastic Particles in Adult Male Wistar Rats
Researchers gave adult male rats a single oral dose of microplastics made from PET water bottles and found that even this one-time exposure altered markers of liver, heart, and kidney function. Higher doses also reduced food intake and increased signs of oxidative stress, which is cell damage caused by harmful molecules. This study suggests that even brief microplastic exposure could trigger early changes in organ function, raising questions about the cumulative effect of daily human exposure through food and water.
Organ-specific accumulation and toxicity analysis of orally administered polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
When mice were fed tiny PET plastic particles (the kind found in water bottles and food containers), the particles accumulated mainly in the lungs and caused inflammatory damage at higher doses. The study found that male mice were more sensitive than females, and the results highlight that microplastics swallowed through food and drink can travel to and harm organs beyond the digestive system.
Effect of polypropylene microplastics on virus resistance in spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus)
Researchers investigated whether long-term exposure to polypropylene microplastics affects the ability of spotted sea bass to resist viral infection. They found that the microplastics accumulated in immune organs like the spleen and kidney, weakened the fish's antiviral immune response, and increased their susceptibility to disease. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in marine environments could make fish populations more vulnerable to viral outbreaks.
How much are microplastics harmful to the health of amphibians? A study with pristine polyethylene microplastics and Physalaemus cuvieri
Researchers exposed frog tadpoles (Physalaemus cuvieri) to polyethylene microplastics and found significant harmful effects including DNA damage, cell toxicity, and abnormal physical development. The microplastics accumulated in multiple tissues including the gills, gut, liver, muscle, and blood. The study provides some of the first evidence that microplastics can affect amphibian health, adding to concerns about their impact on freshwater wildlife.
Nanoplastics from single-use polyethylene terephthalate bottles impair the functionality of human gut-dwelling Lactobacillus rhamnosus and induce toxicity in human cells
Researchers synthesized nanoplastics from single-use PET water bottles and tested their effects on the gut probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, red blood cells, and human lung cells. They found that the nanoplastics reduced probiotic survival in a dose-dependent manner, damaged cell membranes, and impaired the bacteria's beneficial functions including antioxidant activity. The study provides evidence that nanoplastics released from everyday plastic bottles could disrupt important gut bacteria and harm human cells.
Polyethylene terephthalate nanoparticles effect on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells
Researchers exposed mouse immune cells to PET nanoplastics (tiny particles from plastic bottles and containers) and found the cells easily absorbed them, triggering mild oxidative stress and switching on several genes linked to immune defense and cell maintenance, providing early evidence of how nanoplastics may affect human immune function.
Microplastics impair amphibian survival, body condition and function
Tadpoles of the common midwife toad were exposed to polystyrene microspheres at varying concentrations in microcosms, with microplastics reducing feeding, impairing body condition, and showing dose-dependent ingestion of particles. The study provides rare evidence that microplastics harm amphibians, a group already facing global population declines.
Characterization of microplastic pollution in tadpoles living in small water-bodies from Rize, the northeast of Turkey
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in tadpoles (Pelophylax ridibundus and Rana macrocnemis), sediments, and surface water from small water bodies in northeastern Turkey, finding MPs across all compartments with tadpole tissue containing 302.62-306.69 items per gram. PET, nylon, and polyacrylic were the dominant polymers in tadpoles, while PP and PE dominated sediments, highlighting microplastic transfer across freshwater and terrestrial habitats.
Effects of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on cell growth, intracellular products and oxidative stress of Scenedesmus sp.
Researchers exposed freshwater microalgae to PET microplastics, a common plastic found in beverage bottles and textiles. Higher concentrations of PET particles significantly reduced algal growth and disrupted the cells' internal production of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. The study suggests that PET microplastic pollution in wastewater could harm the tiny organisms that form the foundation of aquatic food webs.
Immunodysregulatory potentials of polyethylene or polytetrafluorethylene microplastics to mice subacutely exposed via intragastric intubation
Researchers found that subacute oral exposure to polyethylene and polytetrafluoroethylene microplastics caused immune dysregulation in mice, with effects varying by particle size and polymer type, demonstrating that ingested microplastics can disrupt immune function.
Chronic exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics induces gut microbiota dysbiosis and disordered hepatic lipid metabolism in mice
Researchers found that mice exposed to PET microplastics (the type commonly found in plastic bottles) over 17 weeks developed liver damage, including fat buildup, oxidative stress, and cell death. The study revealed that the damage was driven by changes in gut bacteria that altered lipid metabolism, and when researchers depleted the gut bacteria, the liver damage was reduced. This suggests the gut microbiome plays a key role in how microplastics cause harm to internal organs.
Realistic environmental exposure to secondary PET microplastics induces biochemical responses in freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca
Freshwater benthic invertebrates were exposed to secondary PET microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations, resulting in oxidative stress, enzyme disruption, and altered reproductive output. The study provides evidence that secondary microplastics from common plastic waste pose measurable biochemical risks to freshwater fauna.
Unseen Threats: The Long‐term Impact of PET‐Microplastics on Development of Male Reproductive Over a Lifetime
Mice that ingested tiny PET plastic particles (the same plastic used in water bottles) over 29 weeks showed serious damage to their reproductive systems. Males had 69% fewer sperm, 24% less testosterone, and significantly smaller reproductive organs. These findings raise concerns that long-term exposure to microplastics from everyday plastics could harm male fertility in humans.
Renal and Hepatotoxic Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics in Chronically Exposed Albino Rats
Researchers exposed albino rats to different doses of PET microplastics for 90 days and measured kidney and liver function markers. They found that chronic exposure led to significant changes in serum urea, creatinine, and liver enzymes, suggesting potential kidney and liver damage at higher doses. The study also found that water stored in PET containers exposed to sunlight showed similar toxic effects, raising concerns about everyday plastic container use.