Work

Multisystemic effects of nanoplastics in immature rats subjected to prolonged oral exposure with particular emphasis on prooxidant potential

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: Global plastic production continues to increase, resulting in widespread environmental contamination with plastic waste that gradually breaks down into small particles. Micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) have recently attracted considerable attention. However, the mechanisms of MPs/NPs toxicity, particularly regarding their developmental impact, remain largely unexplored. Methods: Two-week-old rats were administered a low dose (1 mg/kg b.w.) of small fluorochrome-labelled polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) (25 nm) by oral gavage for 3 weeks. Results: Findings demonstrate that PS-NPs accumulated within the liver, kidneys, and brain, with the highest fluorescence intensity found in the liver and lowest in the brain, as confirmed by the IVIS system. Ultrastructural analysis showed tissue-specific alterations to mitochondrial dynamics, including an excess of small forms in the liver and kidney, and elongated forms in the brain, accompanied by mitochondrial swelling and membrane damage. Markers of oxidative stress, such as significantly increased protein oxidation, were found in all organs, while in the liver, an additionally increased level of lipid peroxidation product (MDA) was observed. Results further showed tissue-specific variations in enzymatic antioxidant systems. While all enzymes examined were upregulated in the kidney, highlighting an active defense, the liver exhibited a notable decrease in antioxidant defense, making it the most vulnerable organ to PS-NPs exposure. In the brain, antioxidant mechanisms were less effective compared to the kidney, despite the lowest PS-NPs deposition rate. Discussion: While activation of the cellular transcriptional machinery was observed, it was not reflected in protein overexpression, indicating that the immature brain also seems to be susceptible to the adverse effects of PS-NPs.

Source: Frontiers in Toxicology

DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2026.1976947

Authors: Kamil Adamiak, Grzegorz Sulkowski, Beata Dąbrowska-Bouta, Kamil Synoradzki, Małgorzata Frontczak-Baniewicz, Lidia Strużyńska

Institution: Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,077