Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress

BackgroundSince the mid-20th century, the widespread use of plastics has led to the buildup of harmful byproducts in the environment—most notably acrylamide (AA) and bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals are now commonly detected in human tissues, raising concerns about their potential health effects....

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Main Authors: C. F. Burgos, D. Méndez, S. Quintana, S. Gonkowski, A. Trostchansky, M. Alarcón
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1526374/full
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author C. F. Burgos
D. Méndez
S. Quintana
S. Gonkowski
A. Trostchansky
M. Alarcón
M. Alarcón
author_facet C. F. Burgos
D. Méndez
S. Quintana
S. Gonkowski
A. Trostchansky
M. Alarcón
M. Alarcón
author_sort C. F. Burgos
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundSince the mid-20th century, the widespread use of plastics has led to the buildup of harmful byproducts in the environment—most notably acrylamide (AA) and bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals are now commonly detected in human tissues, raising concerns about their potential health effects. While their presence as environmental pollutants is well known, their specific impact on platelet function and the associated cardiovascular risks remains poorly understood.MethodsTo explore how AA and BPA affect platelet physiology, we performed in vitro assays to assess platelet activation and aggregation following exposure to these compounds. We also used bioinformatic tools to identify potential protein targets in human platelets and carried out molecular docking simulations to investigate how AA and BPA interact with key enzymes involved in platelet regulation.ResultsBoth AA and BPA exposure led to a significant increase in platelet activation and aggregation, suggesting an elevated risk of thrombosis. Proteomic analysis identified around 1,230 potential protein targets, with 191 affected by AA and 429 by BPA. These proteins are primarily involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, and signaling pathways regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), p38α-MAPK, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Molecular modeling further revealed that AA and BPA form stable complexes with several of these enzymes, indicating direct interference with platelet function.Discussion and ConclusionOur study shows that AA and BPA can enhance platelet reactivity and aggregation, which are key factors in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). By identifying specific molecular pathways and targets affected by these pollutants, we provide new insights into their potential role in promoting thrombotic conditions. These findings highlight the urgent need for greater public health awareness and stronger regulatory efforts to reduce human exposure to AA and BPA.
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spelling doaj-art-42fb256f5f894e628816271b772aa7a22025-08-20T02:28:55ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-04-011610.3389/fphar.2025.15263741526374Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stressC. F. Burgos0D. Méndez1S. Quintana2S. Gonkowski3A. Trostchansky4M. Alarcón5M. Alarcón6Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, ChileThrombosis Research Center and Healthy Aging, Universidad de Talca, Talca, ChileDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, ChileDepartment of Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, PolandDepartamento de Bioquímica and Center for Free Radical and Biomedical Research, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, UruguayThrombosis Research Center and Healthy Aging, Universidad de Talca, Talca, ChileDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunohematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Talca, Talca, ChileBackgroundSince the mid-20th century, the widespread use of plastics has led to the buildup of harmful byproducts in the environment—most notably acrylamide (AA) and bisphenol A (BPA). These chemicals are now commonly detected in human tissues, raising concerns about their potential health effects. While their presence as environmental pollutants is well known, their specific impact on platelet function and the associated cardiovascular risks remains poorly understood.MethodsTo explore how AA and BPA affect platelet physiology, we performed in vitro assays to assess platelet activation and aggregation following exposure to these compounds. We also used bioinformatic tools to identify potential protein targets in human platelets and carried out molecular docking simulations to investigate how AA and BPA interact with key enzymes involved in platelet regulation.ResultsBoth AA and BPA exposure led to a significant increase in platelet activation and aggregation, suggesting an elevated risk of thrombosis. Proteomic analysis identified around 1,230 potential protein targets, with 191 affected by AA and 429 by BPA. These proteins are primarily involved in oxidative stress, apoptosis, and signaling pathways regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), p38α-MAPK, and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Molecular modeling further revealed that AA and BPA form stable complexes with several of these enzymes, indicating direct interference with platelet function.Discussion and ConclusionOur study shows that AA and BPA can enhance platelet reactivity and aggregation, which are key factors in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). By identifying specific molecular pathways and targets affected by these pollutants, we provide new insights into their potential role in promoting thrombotic conditions. These findings highlight the urgent need for greater public health awareness and stronger regulatory efforts to reduce human exposure to AA and BPA.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1526374/fullmicroplasticsacrylamidebisphenolplateletscardiovascular diseasesplatelets and cardiovascular diseases
spellingShingle C. F. Burgos
D. Méndez
S. Quintana
S. Gonkowski
A. Trostchansky
M. Alarcón
M. Alarcón
Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
Frontiers in Pharmacology
microplastics
acrylamide
bisphenol
platelets
cardiovascular diseases
platelets and cardiovascular diseases
title Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
title_full Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
title_fullStr Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
title_full_unstemmed Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
title_short Acrylamide and bisphenol A: two plastic additives increase platelet activation, via oxidative stress
title_sort acrylamide and bisphenol a two plastic additives increase platelet activation via oxidative stress
topic microplastics
acrylamide
bisphenol
platelets
cardiovascular diseases
platelets and cardiovascular diseases
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1526374/full
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AT squintana acrylamideandbisphenolatwoplasticadditivesincreaseplateletactivationviaoxidativestress
AT sgonkowski acrylamideandbisphenolatwoplasticadditivesincreaseplateletactivationviaoxidativestress
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