Polyacrylic acid, but not polyethylene glycol, induces metabolic reprogramming linked to pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

ABSTRACT: Polyacrylic acids are widely used in industrial and consumer products, yet increasing evidence indicates that they can induce severe lung injury and rapidly progressing fibrosis. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the pulmonary toxicity of polyacrylic acid (A45) in comparison with polyethylene glycol (PEG, negative control) in a rat intratracheal instillation model. Lung inflammation and fibrosis were assessed up to 6 months. To explore systemic responses to pulmonary injury, serum metabolomics was performed using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS). A45 exposure caused marked neutrophil infiltration, elevated inflammatory markers, and persistent fibrotic remodeling, while PEG induced no significant pulmonary changes.

SUBMITTER: Tomonaga T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12830845 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature