Polystyrene microplastics lead to pyroptosis and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells via NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway in rats

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112012
• Publication Date: 2021-02-05T06:06:57Z
• Authors: Junyu Hou; Zhimin Lei; Linlu Cui; Yun Hou; Long Yang; Ru An; Qimeng Wang; Shengda Li; Hongqin Zhang; Lianshuang Zhang
• Keywords: Malondialdehyde

Microplastics (MPs) considered as a new persistent environmental pollutant could enter into the circulatory system and result in decrease of sperm quantity quality mice. However, effects Polystyrene MPs (PS MPs) on ovary its mechanism rats remained unclear. In this present study, thirty-two healthy female Wistar were exposed to different concentrations 0.5 µm PS dispersed deionized water for 90 days. Using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, number growing follicles was decreased compared control group. addition, activity glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) superoxide dismutase (SOD) while expression level malondialdehyde (MDA) increased tissue. Confirmed by immunohistochemistry, integrated optical density NLRP3 Cleaved-Caspase-1 had been elevated 13.9 14 granulosa cells 1.5 mg/kg/d Furthermore, group, AMH 23.3 pg/ml IL-1β IL-18 32 18.5 group using enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, apoptosis measured terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining flow cytometry. Moreover, western blot assays showed that expressions NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway related factors Cleaved-Caspase-3 increased. These results demonstrated induce pyroptosis ovarian via maybe triggered oxidative stress. The study suggested exposure microplastics adverse be potential risk factor infertility, which provided insights toxicity reproduction.