Inflammatory response in the mid colon of ICR mice treated with polystyrene microplastics for two weeks
10.1186/s42826-021-00109-w
- Author:
Yun Ju CHOI
1
;
Ji Eun KIM
;
Su Jin LEE
;
Jeong Eun GONG
;
You Jeong JIN
;
Sungbaek SEO
;
Jae Ho LEE
;
Dae Youn HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Biomaterials Science (BK21 FOUR Program), College of Natural Resources & Life Science/Life and Industry Convergence Research Institute/Laboratory Animals Resources Center, Pusan National University, Miryang, South Korea
- Publication Type:RESEARCH
- From:Laboratory Animal Research
2021;37(4):285-293
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The oral administration of polystyrene-microplastics (PS-MPs) causes chronic constipation of ICR mice, but there are no reports on their effects on the inflammatory response in the colon. To determine if the oral administration of MPs causes inflammation in the colon, the changes in the apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC)-inflammasome pathway, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and inflammatory cytokine expression were evaluated in the mid colon of ICR mice treated with 0.5 μm size PS-MPs for two weeks.
Results:The thicknesses of the mucosa, muscle, flat luminal surface, and crypt layer were decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the mid colon of the MPs treated group compared to the Vehicle treated group. On the other hand, a remarkable increase in the expression levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein (NLRP) 3, ASC, and Cleaved Caspase (Cas)-1 protein was observed in the MPs treated group. In addition, similar increasing pattern in the levels of p-NF-κB and phospho-inhibitory subunit of NF-κB (p-IkB) α protein was detected. Four inflammatory cytokines, including NF-κB, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1β, showed an increased expression level after the MPs treatment.
Conclusions:Therefore, the present study suggests that PS-MPs can be a novel cause of an inflammatory response in the mid colon of ICR mice.
