Preliminary study of polyethylene microplastics disrupting energy Metabolism, redox Balance, and prefrontal cortex structure in Wistar rats.

ABSTRACT: Plastic pollution has become a major environmental and health concern, with microplastics (MPs) increasingly implicated in biological toxicity. This study examined the neurotoxic effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) on prefrontal cortex (PFC) bioenergetics, mitochondrial redox balance, and inflammatory responses. Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups, receiving oral PE-MP doses (15 or 60 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Biochemical assessments revealed significant disruption of PFC bioenergetic enzymes critical for energy metabolism. Oxidative stress and inflammation were evident, characterized by antioxidant depletion, enhanced oxidation, and impaired redox homeostasis. Histological analysis further demonstrated neuronal degeneration, vacuolation

SUBMITTER: Kehinde SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921311 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature