Category Archives: Microplastics & Environmental Health

CONCLUSIONS: Early-life exposure to PS50 or PS50w has long-lasting consequences on gut physiology, and effects show sexual dimorphism. The results presented raise questions on the kinetics of later-life effects linked to perinatal PS50 and PS50w exposure, and introduce the notion of imprinting.

CONCLUSIONS: Using MNPs-related genes, we built a prognostic model for PAAD, revealing that patients with high-risk scores are likely to have a worse prognosis. This model is designed to develop personalized treatment strategies tailored to the specific needs of each patient, thereby improving clinical outcomes for PAAD patients. Furthermore, IL1A could be a promising therapeutic candidate for PAAD.

Tire-derived microplastics (TWPs) are now recognized as one of the largest and most persistent sources of environmental micro- and nanoplastic pollution, yet their implications for human health remain incompletely characterized. TWPs contain complex mixtures of synthetic polymers, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, antioxidants, and transformation products such as 6PPD-quinone. These constituents exhibit chemical reactivity and biological activity relevant to oxidative…

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this study provides the first integrated, size-resolved characterization of MNPs uptake and intracellular responses in primary human monocytes, combining ultrastructural and biological evidence of phagocytic internalization, autophagy-lysosomal flux, mitochondrial homeostasis, and cellular bioenergetics within the same experimental framework. MNPs uptake was associated with concurrent alterations in the autophagy-lysosomal axis, mitochondrial homeostasis, and…

Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants and are increasingly implicated in adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet their induced cardiotoxicity and potential mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study integrated in vivo mouse models, AC16 cardiomyocytes and a human cardiac organoid-on-a-chip (COoC) platform to multi-dimensionally evaluate polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs)-induced cardiac injury and clarify its key molecular mechanisms. We found…

Airborne nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly recognized as an emerging respiratory health concern because their small size enables deposition in the distal lung, where they can interact directly with the alveolar microenvironment. However, the sequence of mechanisms linking their initial physicochemical interactions to chronic pulmonary outcomes remains insufficiently defined. This review integrates recent evidence to propose a mechanistic framework connecting early biophysical barrier…

Reliable detection of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in human tissues remains analytically challenging due to complex biological matrices, contamination risks, and limited sensitivity of existing spectroscopic and mass-based techniques toward submicrometer particles. Here, we present a histology-compatible analytical approach that enables in situ, volumetric detection and quantification of MNPs in biological tissues with submicrometer sensitivity. The method combines hydrogel-based tissue…

BACKGROUND: Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, and human exposure via ingestion and inhalation is increasingly recognized. Numerous studies report microplastics in human tissues and biological fluids, yet the biological relevance and robustness of these findings remain uncertain. This critical work evaluates current evidence on microplastics in the human body, focusing on exposure pathways, particle size relevance, and analytical limitations. Mechanistic…

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging contaminants detected in food sources and the marine food chain, raising concerns about human health. Although no causal relationship has been established between MNP exposure and specific diseases, growing evidence suggests adverse developmental, behavioral, cognitive and biochemical effects. This systematic review synthesized evidence from common preclinical neurotoxicology models, including C. elegans, D. rerio, D. melanogaster, in vitro systems and…

Nanoplastics (NPs) and antibiotics are prevalent environmental pollutants that coexist and interact in the environment, leading to complex multi-level toxicities. However, there is currently insufficient research on the effects of co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) on key human proteins, such as human serum albumin (HSA), and the interaction mechanisms and binding modes between them remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of CIP-loaded PSNPs…