Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Resveratrol Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Induced Intestinal Barrier Injury through PI3K/Akt-Mediated Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

This study investigated the antioxidant compound resveratrol as a potential treatment for oxidative stress-induced intestinal barrier damage, finding it protected gut lining integrity through a specific cell signaling pathway. While focused on intestinal health generally, the mechanisms studied are relevant to how microplastic exposure can damage gut barriers.

2019 Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity 329 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene nanoplastics trigger ferroptosis in Nrf2-deficient gut via ether phospholipid accumulation

Researchers discovered that polystyrene nanoplastics trigger a specific type of cell death called ferroptosis in gut lining cells by disrupting fat metabolism, and that mice lacking a key protective protein (Nrf2) in their intestines were especially vulnerable. A high-fat diet made the damage worse, suggesting that people with poor diets or reduced antioxidant defenses may be at greater risk of intestinal harm from nanoplastic exposure.

2025 Environment International 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics induced health risk: Insights into intestinal barrier homeostasis and potential remediation strategy by dietary intervention

Researchers showed that environmentally aged nanoplastics disrupt intestinal barrier integrity by increasing permeability, triggering inflammation via AP-1 signaling, and inducing mitochondrial apoptosis, and that dietary quercetin counteracts these effects by activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and suppressing p38/JNK phosphorylation.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Redox regulation in aging muscles: exercise as a key modulator to combat sarcopenia and frailty

Researchers reviewed evidence on how aerobic and resistance exercise modulates redox homeostasis in aging skeletal muscle, synthesizing findings from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses to show that exercise reduces oxidative stress markers by 10–20%, enhances antioxidant enzyme activity by 15–30%, and improves muscle strength and frailty scores through pathways including Nrf2, AMPK, and PGC-1α activation.

2026 Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 1
Article Tier 2

Protocatechuic Acid Alleviates Dextran-Sulfate-Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice via the Regulation of Intestinal Flora and Ferroptosis

Researchers found that protocatechuic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in many fruits and vegetables, helped alleviate ulcerative colitis in mice by restoring healthy gut bacteria and reducing a type of cell death called ferroptosis. The treatment improved intestinal barrier integrity and reduced inflammation. This is relevant to microplastics research because gut barrier damage is a key concern with microplastic ingestion.

2023 Molecules 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Quercetin intervention mitigates small intestinal damage and immunologic derangement induced by polystyrene nanoplastics: Insights from multi-omics analysis in mice

Researchers found that quercetin, a natural compound found in fruits and vegetables, protected mice from gut damage and immune system disruption caused by polystyrene nanoplastics. The nanoplastics damaged the small intestine and disrupted immune balance, but quercetin reversed much of this harm by restoring healthy gut bacteria and gene activity. This suggests that dietary compounds like quercetin might help counteract some negative health effects of nanoplastic exposure.

2024 Environmental Pollution 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Dexmedetomidine alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammatory response in mice via suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in an experimental model of ulcerative colitis

Researchers investigated whether dexmedetomidine (DEX), a sedative agent, alleviates intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammatory responses in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, finding that DEX suppresses the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kB signaling pathway to reduce epithelial cell apoptosis and inflammation. The results suggest that DEX may have therapeutic potential for protecting intestinal barrier integrity in inflammatory bowel conditions.

2022 Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Erchen Decoction Alleviates High-Fat Diet + AOM/DSS-Induced CRC by Ameliorating Cholesterol-Bile Acid Metabolism Disorder through Regulating FXR and the Gut Microbiota

Researchers found that Erchen Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, alleviates colorectal cancer progression in a high-fat diet mouse model by correcting cholesterol-bile acid metabolism disorders through modulation of FXR signaling and gut microbiota composition.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Carvacrol attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal injury by down-regulating TLRs gene expression and regulating the gut microbiota in rabbit

Researchers tested whether carvacrol, a natural plant compound found in oregano and thyme, could protect the intestines of rabbits challenged with a bacterial toxin (lipopolysaccharide), finding it reduced inflammation, improved gut lining structure, and restored healthier gut bacteria communities. These results suggest carvacrol could be a useful dietary supplement for protecting intestinal health in rabbit farming.

2023 Scientific Reports 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Korean red ginseng extract inhibits microplastic translocation via the gut−liver axis by ameliorating alcohol-induced intestinal disruption

Using a mouse model of alcohol-induced intestinal disruption, researchers found that Korean red ginseng extract reduced translocation of polystyrene microplastics from the gut to the liver by ameliorating alcohol-induced intestinal barrier damage, suggesting a potential protective role for this herbal extract.

2025 Journal of Ginseng Research
Article Tier 2

Oxidative stress-activated Nrf2 remitted polystyrene nanoplastic-induced mitochondrial damage and inflammatory response in HepG2 cells

Researchers discovered that polystyrene nanoplastics damage human liver cells by causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, but the cells activate a protective pathway called Nrf2 to fight back. When the Nrf2 defense was blocked, the damage from nanoplastics became significantly worse, confirming its protective role. This study helps explain how the liver tries to defend itself against nanoplastic toxicity, and suggests that people with weaker antioxidant defenses may be more vulnerable to liver damage from plastic exposure.

2024 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics induced inflammation and apoptosis via ferroptosis and the NF-κB pathway in carp

Researchers exposed carp to polyethylene microplastics and found they caused serious intestinal damage through two harmful pathways: ferroptosis (a type of iron-dependent cell death) and NF-kB-driven inflammation. The microplastics triggered a buildup of iron and reactive oxygen species in gut tissue, leading to cell death and tissue destruction. Since humans also ingest microplastics that reach the gut, these findings highlight a potential mechanism by which microplastics could damage our digestive system.

2023 Aquatic Toxicology 85 citations
Article Tier 2

Fragile Guts Make Fragile Brains: Intestinal Epithelial Nrf2 Deficiency Exacerbates Neurotoxicity Induced by Polystyrene Nanoplastics

Using mice engineered to lack a key protective gene (Nrf2) in their intestinal lining, researchers showed that gut damage from nanoplastics can worsen brain damage through the gut-brain axis. The nanoplastics disrupted the gut barrier, altered gut bacteria, and triggered brain inflammation, with effects being much worse when the gut's natural defenses were weakened -- highlighting how gut health may determine how vulnerable someone is to the neurological effects of plastic pollution.

2024 ACS Nano 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics trigger colonic inflammation in rats via the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway and modulation of intestinal microbiota

Rats exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 90 days developed significant colon inflammation, including damaged gut lining, increased inflammatory markers, and disrupted gut bacteria. The study identified a specific inflammatory pathway (TLR4/NF-kB/COX-2) through which microplastics trigger intestinal inflammation, providing important clues about how plastic particles in food and water could contribute to gut diseases in humans.

2025 Toxicology 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Bacillus coagulans Alleviates Intestinal Damage Induced by TiO2 Nanoparticles in Mice on a High-Fat Diet

Researchers found that the probiotic Bacillus coagulans reduced intestinal inflammation, barrier damage, and microbiome disruption caused by titanium dioxide nanoparticles in obese mice on a high-fat diet, suggesting probiotics may help mitigate nanoparticle-induced gut injury.

2022 Foods 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Active compounds of licorice ameliorate microplastics-induced intestinal damage by targeting FADD

Researchers tested whether active compounds from licorice root could protect intestinal cells from damage caused by microplastic exposure in mice, finding that licorice compounds reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut and partially restored intestinal barrier integrity.

2025 Food and Chemical Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Quercetin alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in mice by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress and pyroptosis in granulosa cells

Researchers found that quercetin, a natural plant compound, protected mouse ovaries from chemotherapy-induced damage by reducing harmful oxidative stress in mitochondria and suppressing a form of inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis, suggesting it could help preserve fertility in patients undergoing cancer treatment.

2022 Journal of Ovarian Research 108 citations
Article Tier 2

Gut microbiota remodeling drived by dietary millet protein prevents the metabolic syndrome

Researchers found that millet bran protein extract prevented metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet mice by remodeling gut microbiota and reducing obesity, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. The protective effects were linked to specific gut microbial metabolites influenced by dietary millet protein.

2023 Food Science and Human Wellness 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Protective Effect of Resveratrol on Kidney Disease and Hypertension Against Microplastics Exposure in Male Juvenile Rats

Researchers investigated whether resveratrol, a natural plant compound, could protect young rats from kidney damage and high blood pressure caused by microplastic exposure. They found that microplastics elevated blood pressure and creatinine levels through oxidative stress, and that resveratrol treatment effectively prevented these effects. The study suggests resveratrol may offer protective benefits against organ damage linked to microplastic exposure, partly by improving gut microbiota balance.

2024 Antioxidants 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Epigallocatechin-gallate ameliorates polystyrene microplastics-induced oxido-inflammation and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in testicular cells via modulation of Nrf2/HO-1, /mTOR/Atg-7, and Cx-43/NOX-1 levels

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and reduced sperm quality in rats, but that treatment with EGCG — a compound found in green tea — reversed most of these harmful effects by restoring antioxidant defenses and reducing cell death pathways in testicular tissue.

2024 European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Reports 1 citations