Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro
Abstract Based on their ubiquitous distribution in various ecosystems, plastic particles of different origin and sizes enter the (human) food chain, are ingested and reach the gastrointestinal tract, where they interact with the intestinal (epithelial) tissue. To a certain extent, they may enter or...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00110-3 |
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| _version_ | 1823863410871238656 |
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| author | Kristin Elfers Pascal Benz Marion Burmester Silja Hein Kathrin Hansen Holger Sieg Linda Böhmert Maxi B. Paul Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber |
| author_facet | Kristin Elfers Pascal Benz Marion Burmester Silja Hein Kathrin Hansen Holger Sieg Linda Böhmert Maxi B. Paul Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber |
| author_sort | Kristin Elfers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Based on their ubiquitous distribution in various ecosystems, plastic particles of different origin and sizes enter the (human) food chain, are ingested and reach the gastrointestinal tract, where they interact with the intestinal (epithelial) tissue. To a certain extent, they may enter or cross the intestinal epithelium, getting into contact with enteric neurons. Therefore, a potential risk for gastrointestinal health has been suggested. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of polystyrene particles of nano- (100 nm) and micro-size (1.0 μm), firstly, on intestinal epithelial electrophysiological processes using the Ussing chamber technique and, secondly, on enteric neuronal properties using neuroimaging on primary cultured enteric neurons. The results indicate a size-dependent impairment of epithelial integrity and electrogenic glucose transport upon particle application. Additionally, both sizes of particles induced a change in neuronal response parameters to nicotinergic stimulation after a 24 h incubation. Taken together, these results emphasise the potential of nano- and micro polystyrene particles to interact and affect intestinal epithelial as well as enteric neuronal functionality and stress the need for more detailed investigations of the effect of plastic particles present in the (human) diet on intestinal physiology and involvement of the enteric nervous system. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-10649f80d58c41b5a0e3e73facffeac8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4966 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
| spelling | doaj-art-10649f80d58c41b5a0e3e73facffeac82025-02-09T12:10:01ZengSpringerOpenMicroplastics and Nanoplastics2662-49662025-02-015111310.1186/s43591-025-00110-3Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitroKristin Elfers0Pascal Benz1Marion Burmester2Silja Hein3Kathrin Hansen4Holger Sieg5Linda Böhmert6Maxi B. Paul7Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber8Institute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverInstitute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverInstitute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverInstitute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverInstitute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverDepartment of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentDepartment of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentDepartment of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk AssessmentInstitute for Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine HannoverAbstract Based on their ubiquitous distribution in various ecosystems, plastic particles of different origin and sizes enter the (human) food chain, are ingested and reach the gastrointestinal tract, where they interact with the intestinal (epithelial) tissue. To a certain extent, they may enter or cross the intestinal epithelium, getting into contact with enteric neurons. Therefore, a potential risk for gastrointestinal health has been suggested. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of polystyrene particles of nano- (100 nm) and micro-size (1.0 μm), firstly, on intestinal epithelial electrophysiological processes using the Ussing chamber technique and, secondly, on enteric neuronal properties using neuroimaging on primary cultured enteric neurons. The results indicate a size-dependent impairment of epithelial integrity and electrogenic glucose transport upon particle application. Additionally, both sizes of particles induced a change in neuronal response parameters to nicotinergic stimulation after a 24 h incubation. Taken together, these results emphasise the potential of nano- and micro polystyrene particles to interact and affect intestinal epithelial as well as enteric neuronal functionality and stress the need for more detailed investigations of the effect of plastic particles present in the (human) diet on intestinal physiology and involvement of the enteric nervous system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00110-3Polystyrene particlesIntestinal epitheliaUssing chamberMyenteric neuronsNeuroimaging |
| spellingShingle | Kristin Elfers Pascal Benz Marion Burmester Silja Hein Kathrin Hansen Holger Sieg Linda Böhmert Maxi B. Paul Gemma Mazzuoli-Weber Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro Microplastics and Nanoplastics Polystyrene particles Intestinal epithelia Ussing chamber Myenteric neurons Neuroimaging |
| title | Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| title_full | Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| title_fullStr | Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| title_short | Effect of nano- and micro-polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| title_sort | effect of nano and micro polystyrene particles on small intestinal epithelial functions and enteric neuronal activity in vitro |
| topic | Polystyrene particles Intestinal epithelia Ussing chamber Myenteric neurons Neuroimaging |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00110-3 |
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