Research advances in assessment of toxic mechanisms of micro-plastics using Drosophila melanogaster models
10.3867/j.issn.1000-3002.2025.08211
- VernacularTitle:黑腹果蝇模型在微塑料环境污染毒性评价中的研究进展
- Author:
Yanfei HE
1
;
Yuhan WANG
1
;
Kefeng REN
1
;
Tian WEI
1
Author Information
1. 安徽医科大学公共卫生学院卫生毒理学系，安徽 合肥 230032
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
microplastics;
nanoplastics;
model organisms;
Drosophila melanogaster;
toxic effects
- From:
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
2025;39(5):380-390
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Microplastics(particles<5 μm in diameter),generated through plastic processing or natural degradation,have emerged as novel environmental contaminants with increasing threats to ecosys-tems and human health.Recent studies have demonstrated the accumulation of microplastics in various environmental matrices,human tissues and even placentas,highlighting the urgent need to investigate their health effects.These particles enter the human system primarily through dietary intake and water consumption,yet critical knowledge gaps remain regarding their bioaccumulation potential,toxicological profiles,and synergistic interactions with co-existing environmental contaminants.The Drosophila mela-nogaster(fruit fly),a well-established model organism,offers distinct advantages for contaminant toxicity assessment,including a compact life cycle,small body size,rapid reproduction,ease of laboratory maintenance,and extensive availability of transgenic strains.In particular,its genome has a high degree of homology with the human genome,which further enhances its scientific relevance for toxicological studies.In this review,we summarize the advantages of Drosophila models in microplastic toxicity studies,with particular emphasis on recent advances in understanding intestinal toxicity,neuro toxicity,genotox-icity,reproductive toxicity,developmental toxicity,and transgenerational toxicity.We point to critical research gaps that require urgent investigation,including the bioaccumulation dynamics of microplas-tics,metabolic transformation and elimination pathways,multi-pollutant interaction effects,molecular mechanisms of toxicity,and comprehensive health risk assessment frameworks.The review aims to provide data for elucidating the mechanisms of microplastic toxicity and formulating evidence-based prevention strategies.
