EFFECTS OF SUBCHRONIC EXPOSURE TO POLYSTYRENE NANOPLASTICS ON THE MOUSE INTESTINE

Nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly found in everyday products, from cosmetics to cleaning supplies. A recent study sought to understand the impact of sub-chronic exposure to these tiny plastic particles on the mouse intestine, using mice as a model organism. The mice were exposed to polystyrene NPs of 500 nm, given at 0.15 mg/day and 1.5 mg/day doses, while control mice received sterile water for comparison. For 60 days, both groups were treated and monitored closely.

After the study period, the mice were euthanized, and their intestinal tissues were collected for analysis. The intestines were divided into three regions: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. The researchers then used a technique called H&E staining to visually assess histopathology, or the microscopic structure of tissues. The duodenum showed minimal effects, while the jejunum and ileum displayed more pronounced alterations.

The high-dose group (1.5 mg/day) experienced a significant increase in the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to the control group.

DEGs are genes whose activity levels change in response to specific conditions. In the jejunum, 114 DEGs were identified, while the ileum showed a significantly higher number of 4982 DEGs. Genes linked to immune response, ion transport, and junctional proteins were among the most affected. These findings suggest that polystyrene nanoparticles may have harmful effects on the intestinal system of mice, potentially posing risks for human health as well.