The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics

Prüst, Minne; Meijer, Jonelle; Westerink, Remco H.S.

doi:10.1186/s12989-020-00358-y

Cited by 343 publications

(186 citation statements)

References 115 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

153

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…NP exposure was reported to cause neurotoxicity manifested as alterations of neurotransmitter and neuronal behavior disorders. 13 As a major catecholamine neurotransmitter in the brain, dopamine (DA) participates widely in neurobiological processes. Dysregulation of the DA balance is a crucial pathogenic mechanism of Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, cognitive disfunction, and so forth.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics inCaenorhabditis elegansand the Regulating Effect of Presenilin

Liu

Chen

et al. 2020

ACS Omega

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As one of the most widely used materials, plastic polymer fragments can abrasively degrade into microplastic (MP) and smaller nanoplastic (NP) particles. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of particle size on neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) in Caenorhabditis elegans and to explore the underlying potential mechanism. C. elegans were exposed to different concentrations of PS-NPs with various sizes (25, 50, and 100 nm) for 72 h. Our results showed that all of these PS-NPs could dose-dependently induce an increase in reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial damage in C. elegans, resulting in inhibition of body length, head thrashes, body bending, and dopamine (DA) contents. A weaker neurotoxicity was found in 25 nm PS-NPs compared to 50 and 100 nm PS-NPs, which might be due to preferential cellular distribution and greater polymerization capability of the smaller particles. In addition, all these PS-NPs could induce lipofuscin accumulation and apoptosis independent of particle size, suggesting that oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction may not be the only way responsible for NP-induced neurotoxic effects. Furthermore, the mutant test targeting two presenilin genes (sel-12 and hop-1) showed that sel-12 and hop-1 were involved in regulation of PS-NP-induced neurodevelopmental toxicity and mitochondrial damage. In conclusion, PS-NPs could induce neurodevelopmental toxicity dependent on particle sizes mediated by mitochondrial damage and DA reduction. Enhanced expression of presenilin plays a role in PS-NP-induced oxidative stress and neurodevelopmental toxicity.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 10 Recently, research studies have confirmed that MPs could break through the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and accumulate in the brain tissue of fish. 11 − 13 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics inCaenorhabditis elegansand the Regulating Effect of Presenilin

Liu

Chen

et al. 2020

ACS Omega

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Data from animal studies have shown that once absorbed, nanoplastics can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidney, and even the brain (i.e. they cross the blood-brain barrier [69]) [63].…”

Section: Relationships Between Nano-and Microplastics the Intestinalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Together with poor biodegradability and insufficient recycling, the massive production and use of plastics have led to widespread environmental contamination by nano- and microplastics. These particles accumulate across ecosystems - even in the most remote habitats - and are transferred through food chains, leading to inevitable human ingestion, that adds to the highest one due to food processes and packaging. Objective The present review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of current knowledge regarding the effects of nano- and microplastics on intestinal homeostasis. Methods We conducted a literature search focused on the in vivo effects of nano- and microplastics on gut epithelium and microbiota, as well as on immune response. Results Numerous animal studies have shown that exposure to nano- and microplastics leads to impairments in oxidative and inflammatory intestinal balance, and disruption of the gut’s epithelial permeability. Other notable effects of nano- and microplastic exposure include dysbiosis (changes in the gut microbiota) and immune cell toxicity. Moreover, microplastics contain additives, adsorb contaminants, and may promote the growth of bacterial pathogens on their surfaces: they are potential carriers of intestinal toxicants and pathogens that can potentially lead to further adverse effects. Conclusion Despite the scarcity of reports directly relevant to human, this review brings together a growing body of evidence showing that nano- and microplastic exposure disturbs the gut microbiota and critical intestinal functions. Such effects may promote the development of chronic immune disorders. Further investigation of this threat to human health is warranted.

show abstract

“…Human health effects related to MP exposures, and indeed the levels of MPs in human subjects, are only recently being investigated, but there is a growing body of literature to support evidence of uptake (Abbasi et al 2019;Gallagher et al 2015;Schwabl et al 2019) and detrimental impacts (Dong et al 2020;Gallo et al 2018;Stock et al 2019). Recently reported potential human effects include GI and liver toxicity (Chang et al 2020;W Wang et al 2019) as well as neurotoxicity (Prüst et al 2020). The key identified exposure route is ingestion (along with inhalation) (Chang et al 2020;Hale et al 2020), with seafood being a major medium of exposure (van Raamsdonk et al 2020;YL Wang et al 2020).…”

Section: Environmental Health Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Danopoulos

Jenner

Twiddy

et al. 2020

Environ Health Perspect

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Microplastics (MPs) have contaminated all compartments of the marine environment including biota such as seafood; ingestion from such sources is one of the two major uptake routes identified for human exposure. Objectives: The objectives were to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the levels of MP contamination in seafood and to subsequently estimate the annual human uptake. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from launch (1947, 1974, and 1900, respectively) up to October 2020 for all studies reporting MP content in seafood species. Mean, standard deviations, and ranges of MPs found were collated. Studies were appraised systematically using a bespoke risk of bias (RoB) assessment tool. Results: Fifty studies were included in the systematic review and 19 in the meta-analysis. Evidence was available on four phyla: mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and echinodermata. The majority of studies identified MP contamination in seafood and reported MP content , with 26% of studies rated as having a high RoB, mainly due to analysis or reporting weaknesses. Mollusks collected off the coasts of Asia were the most heavily contaminated, coinciding with reported trends of MP contamination in the sea. According to the statistical summary, MP content was in mollusks, in crustaceans, in fish, and in echinodermata. Maximum annual human MP uptake was estimated to be close to 55,000 MP particles. Statistical, sample, and methodological heterogeneity was high. Discussion: This is the first systematic review, to our knowledge, to assess and quantify MP contamination of seafood and human uptake from its consumption, suggesting that action must be considered in order to reduce human exposure via such consumption. Further high-quality research using standardized methods is needed to cement the scientific evidence on MP contamination and human exposures. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7171

show abstract

The plastic brain: neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics

Cited by 343 publications

References 115 publications

Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics inCaenorhabditis elegansand the Regulating Effect of Presenilin

Neurodevelopmental Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics inCaenorhabditis elegansand the Regulating Effect of Presenilin

Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About