Research published in International Journal of Molecular Science revealed the surprising effects of microplastics on mice, revealing significant behavioral changes and immune responses in both young and elderly subjects. This research improves our understanding of how these environmental pollutants affect mammals, including perhaps humans.
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter, are a growing concern for environmentalists and medical professionals alike. These particles, present in everything from bodies of water to human tissue, have become the symbol of modern pollution. Previous studies have mainly focused on the harmful effects of these particles on marine life, which have been shown to cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and decreased cellular vitality. However, its effects on mammals, especially at the cognitive and biological levels, remain largely unknown.
This study, conducted by a team of researchers at the University of Rhode Island, aimed to fill this knowledge gap. Microplastics are always present in the environment and have already been proven to be harmful to marine life, so the research team wanted to understand whether similar harmful effects could be observed in mammals as well. I tried to. They specifically chose to investigate how these particles affect behavior and immune responses in mice, providing insights that could have far-reaching implications for other mammals, including humans. did.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers conducted experiments using female C57BL/6J, or “Black 6” mice, and divided them into groups of 40 young and 40 older mice. These mice were exposed to varying concentrations of polystyrene microplastics in their drinking water for three weeks. This exposure method was chosen to closely mimic the likelihood that humans would encounter these particles in their daily lives. The research team used a series of behavioral assays, including an open field test and a light/dark preference test, combined with tissue analysis, to assess the impact of microplastics.
Mice exposed to microplastics showed increased movement and rearing activity, which was especially more pronounced in older mice. This suggests that the particles have a significant influence on its behavior. Additionally, changes were observed in the expression of immune markers in the liver and brain. In older mice, these changes are more potent, indicating a stronger immune response. Perhaps most alarmingly, microplastics have been detected in a variety of tissues, including the brain, highlighting their ability to cross protective barriers such as the blood-brain barrier.
In other words, this study suggests that mice begin to behave differently after short-term exposure to small plastic particles, with older mice exhibiting more pronounced changes, potentially affecting the brain and nervous system. It was shown that This may suggest that daily contact with microplastics may also affect our brain health and immune systems.
However, this study focused only on female mice, which may limit the extent to which these findings can be generalized across genders. Also, this study used a specific type of microplastic, so the results may not apply to all microplastics. Furthermore, her three-week period of experimentation does not reflect the potential for long-term exposure that humans may experience. Finally, although the behavioral changes in mice were statistically significant, caution is needed in interpreting these findings to predict similar effects in humans due to differences in biology between species.
This study highlights the potential effects of microplastics on mammalian health, but further research is needed to fully understand the extent and nature of these effects, especially in humans.
the study, “Acute exposure to microplastics induced behavioral changes and inflammation in young and old mice” is written by Lauren Gaspar, Sidney Bartman, Giuseppe Coppotelli, and Jamie Ross, all from the University of Rhode Island.