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Xiong G, Zhang H, Peng Y, Shi H, Han M, Hu T, Wang H, Zhang S, Wu X, Xu G, Zhang J, Liu Y. Subchronic co-exposure of polystyrene nanoplastics and 3-BHA significantly aggravated the reproductive toxicity of ovaries and uterus in female mice. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 351:124101. [PMID: 38710361 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Both nanoplastics (NPs) and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (3-BHA) are environmental contaminants that can bio-accumulate through the food chain. However, the combined effects of which on mammalian female reproductive system remain unclear. Here, the female ICR-CD1 mice were used to evaluate the damage effects of ovaries and uterus after NPs and 3-BHA co-treatment for 35 days. Firstly, co-exposure significantly reduced the body weight and organ index of ovaries and uterus in mice. Secondly, combined effects of NPs and 3-BHA exacerbated the histopathological abnormalities to the ovaries and uterus and decreased female sex hormones such as FSH and LH while increased antioxidant activities including CAT and GSH-Px. Moreover, the apoptotic genes, inflammatory cytokines and the key reproductive development genes such as FSTL1 were significantly up-regulated under co-exposure conditions. Thirdly, through transcriptional and bioinformatics analysis, immunofluorescence and western blotting assays, together with molecular docking simulation, we determined that co-exposure up-regulated the FSTL1, TGF-β and p-Smad1/5/9 but down-regulated the expression of BMP4. Finally, the pharmacological rescue experiments further demonstrated that co-exposure of NPs and 3-BHA mainly exacerbated the female reproductive toxicity through FSTL1-mediated BMP4/TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. Taken together, our studies provided the theoretical basis of new environmental pollutants on the reproductive health in female mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghua Xiong
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China; College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yulin Peng
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Huangqi Shi
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Meiling Han
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Tianle Hu
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Hongcheng Wang
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Shangrong Zhang
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Gaoxiao Xu
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China
| | - Jun'e Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yong Liu
- College of Biology and Food Engineering, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Embryo Development and Reproductive Regulation, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang, 236041, Anhui, China.
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Chen CY, Lin Z. Exploring the potential and challenges of developing physiologically-based toxicokinetic models to support human health risk assessment of microplastic and nanoplastic particles. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 186:108617. [PMID: 38599027 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) pollution has emerged as a significant and widespread environmental issue. Humans are inevitably exposed to MPs and NPs via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contacts from various sources. However, mechanistic knowledge of their distribution, interaction, and potency in the body is still lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we have undertaken the task of elucidating the toxicokinetic (TK) behaviors of MPs and NPs, aiming to provide mechanistic information for constructing a conceptual physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) model to support in silico modeling approaches. Our effort involved a thorough examination of the existing literature and data collation on the presence of MPs in the human body and in vitro/ex vivo/in vivo biodistribution across various cells and tissues. By comprehending the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion mechanisms of MPs and NPs in relation to their physicochemical attributes, we established a foundational understanding of the link between external exposure and internal tissue dosimetry. We observed that particle size and surface chemistry have been thoroughly explored in previous experimental studies. However, certain attributes, such as polymer type, shape, and biofilm/biocorona, warrant attention and further examination. We discussed the fundamental disparities in TK properties of MPs/NPs from those of engineered nanoparticles. We proposed a preliminary PBTK framework with several possible modeling approaches and discussed existing challenges for further investigation. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive compilation of existing TK data of MPs/NPs, a critical overview of TK processes and mechanisms, and proposes potential PBTK modeling approaches, particularly regarding their applicability to the human system, and outlines future perspectives for developing PBTK models and their integration into human health risk assessment of MPs and NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yun Chen
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, FL 32608, United States
| | - Zhoumeng Lin
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States; Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida, FL 32608, United States.
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