Abstract
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging as environmental pollutants with potential threats to human health. The accumulation of MNPs in the body can cause oxidative stress and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). With the aim to systematically evaluate the extent of MNPs-induced oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice, a total of 36 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis study. The results reported that MNPs can significantly increase the levels of oxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05), and resulted in notable increase in serum biochemical parameters including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (P < 0.05). Conversely, MNPs significantly reduced levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that smaller MNPs with oral administration and prolonged treatment, were associated with more pronounced oxidative stress and enhanced serum biochemical parameters alteration. In addition, after affected by MNPs, the levels of ALT and AST in liver group (SMD = 2.26, 95% CI = [1.59, 2.94] and SMD = 3.10, 95% CI = [1.25, 4.94]) were higher than those in other organs. These comprehensive results provide a scientific foundation for devising strategies to prevent MNPs-induced damage, contributing to solution of this environmental and health challenge.
Graphical abstract
36 eligible articles were included in this meta-analysis and subgroup analysis was carried out based on particle size, treatment days, sample source, intervention means and sex. Micro/nanoplastics exposure increased oxidation and serum biochemical parameters, but decreased antioxidation parameters, which could induce oxidative stress and further cause cardiovascular disease.
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All data generated and analyzed during this study are included in this published article.
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Funding
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32070017), Program for Liaoning Innovative Talents in University (No. LD2020002), Doctoral Start-up Foundation of Liaoning Province (No. 2023-BS-089).
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JLC extracted the statistics and wrote original manuscript. RQQ identified eligible studies, and checked the manuscript. YC checked and managed the data. LW conducted software analysis. XYC was responsible for conceptualization and fund acquisition. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Chen, J., Qi, R., Cheng, Y. et al. Effects of micro/nanoplastics on oxidative damage and serum biochemical parameters in rats and mice: a meta-analysis. Environ Geochem Health 46, 197 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01972-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01972-x