ArticleVeterinary medicine and science2025
Polystyrene Microplastics-Induced Thyroid Dysfunction in Mice: A Study of Gene Expression, Oxidative Stress, and Histopathological Changes.
Article in Veterinary medicine and science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Human Diet: Sources of Exposure, Bioavailability, Toxicokinetics, and Systemic Health Effects.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Microplastic Neurotoxicity in the Prefrontal Cortex: A Review of Mechanisms and Neuropsychiatric Associations.Toxics · 2026Review
- Microplastic toxicity: mechanisms, assessment methods, and future research directions.Frontiers in toxicology · 2026Review
- Microplastic exposure and human health risks across the life cycle: a focus on reproduction, development, and aging.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Review
- Microplastics in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: An emerging threat to liver health.World journal of hepatology · 2025Review
- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Micro- and Nanoplastics Driving Adverse Human Health Effects.Toxics · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPolystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are pervasive pollutants impacting animals across ecosystems, including livestock and wildlife, through contaminated food, water, and air. MPs may disrupt endocrine function, particularly affecting the thyroid gland, which is essential for metabolism and development.
objectivesThis study investigates the effects of PS-MPs on thyroid function in mice, offering insights relevant to veterinary care by examining changes in gene expression and biochemical markers.
methodsPS-MPs of 5 µm diameter were prepared in distilled water after probe sonication. Sixty male Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups: a control group and two treatment groups receiving 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg PS-MPs via oral gavage for 28 days. Mice were anesthetised, and thyroid tissues were collected for histopathological, biochemical, and gene expression analyses. Biochemical tests included catalase, superoxide dismutase, reactive oxygen species, and hormone levels. Histopathology and gene expression (TSHR and TPO) of thyroid-related genes were examined to assess PS-MPs induced effects.
resultsExposure to PS-MPs in mice led to significant increases in calcium, thyroxin, free T3, free T4, ALP, AST, ALT, and amylase levels, alongside elevated oxidative stress markers. Conversely, the levels of TSH, calcitonin, magnesium and phosphate decreased. Histopathological analysis showed abnormal thyroid follicle development, decrease parafollicular cells, with colloid loss, haemorrhage, and necrosis. Gene expression analysis revealed a marked reduction in TSHR and TPO levels in PS-MPs treated groups, indicating thyroid dysfunction. These findings highlight the profound impact of PS-MPs on thyroid gland function in mice.
conclusionThese findings underscore the potential risks that PS-MPs pose to thyroid health, with potential consequences for other veterinary species. As environmental contamination rises, veterinarians may encounter more endocrine disorders linked to PS-MPs, emphasising the need for further research and preventive measures.
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