The Cytotoxicity of Micro-plastics on Co-culture Models of Intestinal Cells and Investigation of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms
TOTAL VIEWS: 428
Abstract
Microplastics (particles < 5 µm in diameter) are pervasive environmental contaminants resulting from human activities. Common sources include polystyrene (PS) in disposable food containers, polyvinyl chloride in medical masks, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in synthetic textiles. Human exposure to micro-plastics frequently occurs through ingestion and inhalation, often without conscious awareness. This study investigated the effects of different sizes (80 nm and 200 nm) and concentrations of PS microplastics on the cell cycle and apop-tosis of HCT116 colorectal carcinoma cells. Additionally, the potential of chitosan to mitigate PS-induced cytotoxicity was evaluated in both intracellular and extracellular contexts. Assessments were conducted using MTT assays, cell cycle analysis, and apoptosis assays. MTT results indicated that higher concentrations of 80 nm PS microplastics significantly reduced HCT116 viability, whereas 200 nm particles had comparatively lesser effects. Cell cycle analysis revealed that exposure to 1 µg/mL PS significantly increased the proportion of cells in the G1 phase and decreased those in the S phase. These concentrations correspond to typical levels released from disposable plastic food containers when used with hot food (60–90°C). Apoptosis assays via flow cytometry confirmed that 80 nm PS microplastics induced more severe cytotoxic effects than their 200 nm counterparts. Notably, the addition of chitosan markedly reduced the toxicity of both PS variants. These findings suggest that chitosan may serve as a protective agent against microplastic-induced intestinal cell damage, offering a potential basis for future therapeutic strategies to safeguard human intestinal health.
Keywords
Microplastics; intestines; cytotoxicity; HCT116
References
[1] Liu D, Shimizu M. Ingesting chitosan can promote excretion of microplastics. Sci Rep. 2025;15:14041. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-96393-w
[2] Jing S, Wang Y, Chen Y, et al. Standardizing pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry for nanoplastics and microplastics detection to advance environmental research. npj Emerg Contam. 2025;1:2. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44454-025-00001-5
[3] Zha H, Li S, Zhuge A, Shen J, Yao Y, Chang K, Li L. Hazard assessment of airborne and foodborne biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates microplastics and non-biodegradable polypropylene microplastics. Environ Int. 2025;196:109311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2025.109311
[4] Zhang Y, Men J, Yin K, et al. Activation of gut metabolite ACSL4/LPCAT3 by microplastics in drinking water mediates ferroptosis via gut–kidney axis. Commun Biol. 2025;8:211. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-07641-8
[5] Park K-M, Kim B, Woo W, Kim LK, Hyun Y-M. Polystyrene microplastics induce activation and cell death of neutrophils through strong adherence and engulfment. J Hazard Mater. 2024;480:136100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.136100
[6] Zhao B, Liu R, Guo S, et al. Large-sized polystyrene microplastics induce oxidative stress in AML12 cells. Sci Rep. 2025;15:26616. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11577-8
[7] Wang F, Zhang Q, Cui J, Bao B, Deng X, Liu L, Guo M-y. Polystyrene microplastics induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis and inflammation by disrupting the gut microbiota in carp intestines. Environ Pollut. 2023;323:121233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121233
[8] Zhang X, Wang J, Liu Y, Wang H, Li B, Li Q, Wang Y, Zong Y, Wang J, Meng Q, Wu S, Hao R, Li X, Chen R, Chen H. In situ profiling reveals spatially metabolic injury in the initiation of polystyrene nanoplastic-derived intestinal epithelial injury in mice. Sci Total Environ. 2024;927:172037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172037
[9] Rashid E, Hussain SM, Ali S, et al. Polystyrene microplastics exposure in freshwater fish, Labeo rohita: evaluation of physiology and histopathology. Sci Rep. 2025;15:12888. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95811-3
[10] Manabe S, Haga Y, Tsujino H, et al. Treatment of polyethylene microplastics degraded by ultraviolet light irradiation causes lysosome-deregulated cell death. Sci Rep. 2024;14:24008. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74800-y
[11] Hwang J, Choi D, Han S, et al. Potential toxicity of polystyrene microplastic particles. Sci Rep. 2020;10:7391. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-64464-9
[12] Prasetyo S, Santos CA, Sugih AK, Kristianto H. Utilization of chitosan as a natural coagulant for polyethylene microplastic removal. Sustain Chem Environ. 2025;9:100225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scenv.2025.100225
[13] Ortiz C, Müller L, Borges L, de Almeida Pinto LA, Cadaval TRS, Tesser MB, Pedrosa VF, Romano LA, Wasielesky W, Ventura-Lima J. The use of chitosan as an antioxidant in the feed of cultivated P. vannamei shrimp against oxidative stress induced by exposure to microplastics. Mar Environ Res. 2024;202:106747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106747
[14] Ullah H, Chang H, Safi NA, Somia B, Wang J, Qiao A, Ahmad M, Nasrullah AR, Su R. Advances in chitin and chitosan-based materials for microplastics treatment. Carbohydr Polym. 2025;368(Part 1):124073. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124073
[15] Zhang YC, Thomas Y, Kim E, Payne GF. pH- and voltage-responsive chitosan hydrogel through covalent cross-linking with catechol. J Phys Chem B. 2012;116(5):1579–85. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp210043w
[16] Herrera-Vázquez SE, Elizalde-Velázquez GA, Gómez-Oliván LM, Chanona-Pérez JJ, Hernández-Varela JD, Hernández-Díaz M, García-Medina S, Orozco-Hernández JM, Colín-García K. Ecotoxicological evaluation of chitosan biopolymer films particles in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): a comparative study with polystyrene microplastics. Sci Total Environ. 2024;929:172757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172757
How to cite this paper
The Cytotoxicity of Micro-plastics on Co-culture Models of Intestinal Cells and Investigation of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms
How to cite this paper: Xuan Wu. (2025) The Cytotoxicity of Micro-plastics on Co-culture Models of Intestinal Cells and Investigation of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms. Health and Prevention Journal, 2(1), 92-102.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/hpj.2025.12.008
More Articles
- The Cytotoxicity of Micro-plastics on Co-culture Models of Intestinal Cells and Investigation of Oxidative Stress Mechanisms
- The Role of Pranayama Yogic Breathing in Maintaining Liver Health: A Physiological Review of Physiological Mechanism and Clinical Evidences
- Impact and Consequences of Early Marriage in Bangladesh Using BDHS Data
- Human Pathogen Crossing Species Barrier: Reverse Zoonosis
- The Effect of Custom Orthotic Insoles on Lower Limb Muscle Fatigue in Patients with Flat Feet
- Evaluation of Quantum Dots Nanobeads Based Lateral Flow Immunoassay for Interluekin-6 Detection in Human Blood for Cervical Inflammation Monitoring