Toxicological Effects and Potential Therapeutics of Chronic Exposure to Polyurethane Nanoplastics in <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i>.

ABSTRACT: Despite growing concerns about the ecological and health risks of nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations (ERCs), the effects of polyurethane nanoplastics (PU NPs) on environmental organisms remain unclear. This study assessed the toxicity of PU NPs in the μg/L range in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) through chronic exposure. Our results showed that 10 μg/L PU NP exposure significantly reduced brood size, head thrashes, and body bends, while 100 μg/L PU NP exposure decreased lifespan, and 1000 μg/L PU NP exposure increased mortality in wild-type C. elegans. Analysis of oxidative stress showed that both 10 and 1000 μg/L PU NP exposures elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), SKN-1::GFP, and GST-4::GFP levels. Notably, while ROS production rose at 10

SUBMITTER: Wu Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12943577 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature