Short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics in drinking water caused behavioural changes and increased inflammation in both young and old mice, with age-specific variations in effects. This highlights potential health risks from microplastic pollution across different age groups.
August 2023 – International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Key takeaways
- Behavioural changes in mice: Exposure to microplastics led to noticeable changes in behaviour in both young and old mice, suggesting that microplastics can impact neurological functions across different life stages
- Inflammation increase: Inflammation markers were elevated in mice after microplastic exposure, with distinct patterns observed in different age groups. This indicates that microplastics can provoke an inflammatory response, which is a crucial factor in aging and age-related diseases
- Age-Specific vulnerabilities: The effects of microplastic exposure varied between young and old mice, highlighting that different age groups might have specific vulnerabilities to environmental toxins. This highlights the importance of considering age when evaluating the health impacts of pollutants
The study suggests that even short-term exposure to microplastics can have significant health effects, raising concerns about the long-term implications of chronic exposure to these pollutants, especially in relation to aging and longevity.
Read more at: Férec, Marine, et al. “Acute Exposure to Microplastics Induced Changes in Behavior and Inflammation in Young and Old Mice.“ International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 15, 2023, article 12308. MDPI, doi:10.3390/ijms241512308.