Toxicity, uptake, and nuclear translocation of ingested micro-nanoplastics in an in vitro model of the small intestinal epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Despite mounting evidence of increasing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in natural environments, food, and drinking water, little is known of the potential health hazards of MNPs ingestion. We assessed toxicity and uptake of environmentally relevant MNPs in an in vitro small intestinal epithelium (SIE). Test MNPs included 25 and 1000 nm polystyrene (PS) microspheres (PS25 and PS1K); 25, 100, and 1000 nm carboxyl modified PS spheres (PS25C, PS100C, and PS1KC), and secondary MNPs from incinerated polyethylene (PEI). MNPs were subjected to 3-phase digestion to mimic transformations in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and digestas applied to the SIE. Carboxylated MNPs significantly reduced viability and increased permeability to 3 kD dextran. Uptake of carboxyl PS materials was size dependent,

SUBMITTER: DeLoid GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8800148 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature