Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Toxicities Demonstrated in Dams and Neonates following Intragastric Intubation of Polyethylene Microplastics to Pregnant Mice

폴리에틸렌 미세플라스틱의 임신 마우스 위내투여에 따른 모체 및 신생자 독성평가

  • Song, YoungMin (Department of Toxicity Assessment, Graduate School of Medical and Health Industry, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Kim, ChangYul (Department of Toxicity Assessment, Graduate School of Medical and Health Industry, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 송영민 (대구가톨릭대학교 의료보건산업대학원 화학물질독성평가학과) ;
  • 김창열 (대구가톨릭대학교 의료보건산업대학원 화학물질독성평가학과)
  • Received : 2021.08.11
  • Accepted : 2021.09.29
  • Published : 2021.10.31
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Abstract

Background: Plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter (microplastics) are well-known for causing various toxicities such as lung inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. As microplastics become smaller, they can move across cell membranes, the placenta, and the blood-brain barrier. Objectives: We evaluated the toxicities of polyethylene microplastics (PE-PMs) in dams and neonates through intragastric intubation of pregnant ICR mice. Methods: Low concentrations (0.01 mg/mouse/day) and high concentrations (0.1 mg/mouse/day) of polyethylene microplastics were administered from the ninth day of pregnancy to postnatal day seven. The control group was administered with distilled water. On the day of sacrifice, the weight of dams and neonates and the organ weight of neonates was measured. Further, acetylcholinesterase levels and glutathione peroxidase levels were evaluated by using a blood sample obtained on the sacrifice day. Results: No significant difference in the number of neonates was found, but the body weight gain of dams was seen to be lower in the low-dose group. On the other hand, we observed a consecutively declining trend in the weight gain and organ weight of neonates among the high-, control, and low-dose groups. Meanwhile, the serum acetylcholinesterase and glutathione peroxidase level were higher in the low-dose group compared to the control group. Further, the dose-dependent accumulation of microplastics in the organs of neonates revealed the transport of plastic particles from dams to their offspring. Conclusions: Although the exact mechanism of toxicity caused by microplastics could not be confirmed, it was validated that exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and lactation causes its migration between generations and accumulation throughout the body. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the systemic toxicity of microplastics and assessment of co-morbidities such as second-generation toxicity, neurotoxicity, and depression following long-term exposure.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 한국화학물질관리협회 화학물질 안전관리 전문인력 양성 사업의 지원을 받아 수행되었음.

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