A single dose of microplastic particles induces changed in organ weight of male Wistar rats

Increased plastic usage creates environmental problems due to its accumulation and degradation into microplastic particles (MP), less than 5 mm in diameter. Particles from various sources like food and beverages contaminated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) could accumulate in different tissues exerting adverse effects. Since data regarding potential acute toxicity in doses that represent realistic/daily ingested MP doses are entirely lacking, male Wistar rats were exposed to a single dose (1.4, 35 or 125 mg/kg) of PET-generated MP by oral gavage. Changes in wet organ weight to body weight ratio of testicles, adrenal glands and kidneys were examined 24 h following the treatment. Results point to increased organ/body weight ratio of testicles in rats exposed to two higher MP doses, while adrenal glands were augmented only after treatment with 125 mg/kg. Further research is needed to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of the observed phenomenon

Does exposure to a single dose of microplastic represent a health risk?

Worldwide pollution with plastic debris represents tremendous environmental issue. Small particles originated from plastic bottles exert various effects in organisms when exposed chronically, while the effects of a single exposure are completely unknown. Thus, to test their potential health impact, male Wistar rats were exposed by oral gavage to a single dose of microplastic particles (MP) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (1.4, 35 or 125 mg/kg with median diameter of 85 μm). Food and water intakes were monitored, and neurological and clinical tests were conducted. Obtained results point to lower food and water intakes in groups that received two higher MP doses indicating to interference with normal digestion. None of three used MP doses provoked neurological and clinical impairments either due to short-term exposure and/or lack of MP cumulative effect. Overall, presented results indicate that exposure to a single dose of MP can initiate health issues

Does exposure to a single dose of microplastic represent a health risk?

Worldwide pollution with plastic debris represents tremendous environmental issue. Small particles originated from plastic bottles exert various effects in organisms when exposed chronically, while the effects of a single exposure are completely unknown. Thus, to test their potential health impact, male Wistar rats were exposed by oral gavage to a single dose of microplastic particles (MP) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (1.4, 35 or 125 mg/kg with median diameter of 85 μm). Food and water intakes were monitored, and neurological and clinical tests were conducted. Obtained results point to lower food and water intakes in groups that received two higher MP doses indicating to interference with normal digestion. None of three used MP doses provoked neurological and clinical impairments either due to short-term exposure and/or lack of MP cumulative effect. Overall, presented results indicate that exposure to a single dose of MP can initiate health issues

Modest protective effects of progesterone treatment in hippocampus of male rats submitted to cerebral hypoperfusion

In the brain, three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) regulate production of nitric oxide (NO), a signalling molecule with a role in cerebral blood flow regulation. Depending on the stimulus, NO exerts dual nature, from neuroprotective to neurodestructive. Given the scarcity of literature data on the involvement of nitrosative stress indicators in the rat hippocampal response to 7-day lasting progesterone (P4) treatment following permanent occlusion of both common carotid arteries, we assessed NO level and protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS, including its total (t-eNOS) and phosphorylated at Ser1177 isoform (p-eNOS Ser1177)). According to obtained results, elevated NO levels occurred due to activity of other NOS forms since eNOS expressions were similar between experimental groups. Although NO level was downscaled it was still elevated in occluded animals treated with P4, showing modest anti-nitrosative effect of this potent steroid in the hippocampus

Effects of chronic oral D-galactose treatment on general health status in male Wistar rats

D-galactose (d-gal) is an important physiological nutrient. According to the widely accepted aging metabolic theory d-gal at high levels can be converted into aldose and hydroperoxide, resulting in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Increased ROS levels may subsequently cause oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis which are hallmarks of natural senescence as well as various pathological conditions. We investigated the effects of chronic oral d-gal intake (200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 6 weeks) on physiological, neurological and toxicity parameters in 3 months old male Wistar rats. The obtained results indicate that body weight, food intake, serum glucose, neurological and toxicity status remained unaffected while urine proteins were significantly increased in d-gal treated rats. Although there was no effect on the general health status of the animals, our findings suggest that chronic oral d-gal administration may lead to renal dysfunction

Modulation of redox parameters in rat liver induced by flaxseed oil

Flaxseed oil, extracted from ripened flaxseeds, is functional food source that is associated with health benefits in many diseases, including cardiovascular, cancer, osteoporosis, etc. Besides saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, it also contains easily oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family. In current study, we tested the effects of commercial flaxseed oil in rat liver by measuring parameters related to free radical challenge (pro/antioxidant balance (PAB), lipid peroxidation (LPO) products and glutathione (GSH) level). Overall, applied treatment maintains general prooxidant load and antioxidant capacity since the level of PAB was unchanged. However, it exerts significant modulatory effect on particular redox parameters by increasing the amount of LPO products and consequently the susceptibility of tissue to free radical oxidative damage, which challenges the antioxidant defence system that in return elevates GSH concentration