Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Department of Zoology, IIS (deemed to be University), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Neurotoxicology. 2023 Dec;99:139-151. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.10.009. Epub 2023 Oct 20.
It is widely reported now that nanoplastic particles have potential neurotoxic effects and may disturb central nervous system (CNS) function. However, the mechanism behind these toxic effects still needs to be elucidated. In the current study, we investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on changes in learning, memory, and anxiety-related behavior in mice based on some selected biochemical, molecular, and histopathological changes in three important brain regions (Cortex, Hypothalamus, and Hippocampus). Male mice were orally administered daily with two doses of 50 nm PS-NPs (0.2 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml) for 8 weeks. We observed decreased expression of neurotransmitter-related genes (VAChT, GAD, and SYP) in the cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus areas of the mouse brain. Other biochemical variables including, antioxidant enzymes, biomarkers for oxidative stress, and acetylcholinesterase activity showed significant alterations in all three brain regions. Molecular and neurochemical data thus suggest significant neurobehavioral changes following sub-chronic exposure to PS-NPs which may lead to enhanced anxiety-related and spatial learning and memory-related impairments by affecting limbic areas of the brain.
现在广泛报道称，纳米塑料颗粒具有潜在的神经毒性作用，并可能干扰中枢神经系统（CNS）功能。然而，这些毒性作用的机制仍需要阐明。在目前的研究中，我们研究了基于三个重要脑区（皮质、下丘脑和海马体）中一些选定的生化、分子和组织病理学变化，聚苯乙烯纳米塑料（PS-NPs）对小鼠学习、记忆和焦虑相关行为变化的影响。雄性小鼠连续 8 周每天口服两种剂量的 50nm PS-NPs（0.2mg/ml 和 1mg/ml）。我们观察到，在小鼠大脑的皮质、下丘脑和海马体区域，神经递质相关基因（VAChT、GAD 和 SYP）的表达减少。其他生化变量，包括抗氧化酶、氧化应激生物标志物和乙酰胆碱酯酶活性，在所有三个脑区均显示出显著变化。分子和神经化学数据表明，PS-NPs 的亚慢性暴露会导致明显的神经行为变化，这可能通过影响大脑的边缘区域导致焦虑相关和空间学习记忆相关损伤。
