Toxicological Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to Nanopolystyrene in Rats

Abstract

This investigation assesses the harmful effects of nano-polystyrene plastic particles on laboratory rats through blood tests and biochemical analyses. The results showed that rats exposed to nano-polystyrene for a short time had higher mean white blood cell (WBC) counts (11.16±1.22 10³/µl) compared to the control group (7.333±0.26 10³/µl). Additionally, short-term exposure led to lower red blood cell (RBC) counts (4.98±0.29 10⁶/µl) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels (9.38±0.74 g/dl) compared to the unexposed group (6.64±0.33 10⁶/µl and 12.66±0.39 g/dl). The group exposed for a longer period showed even larger increases in WBC counts (13.44±1.91 10³/µl) compared to the control (7.79±0.41 10³/µl), along with reduced RBC counts (4.09±0.41 10⁶/µl) and Hb levels (6.26±0.36 g/dl) compared to the unexposed group (6.11±0.43 10⁶/µl and 12.14±0.29 g/dl). Findings from the acute cohort's oxidative stress examination exhibited an impressive rise in average MDA concentration, documented at (35.005±0.607 µmol/l) versus the control group that recorded (17.034±0.589 µmol/l). Additionally, the ongoing cohort reported a rise in CAT activity, assessed at (78.286±1.083 µmol/min/mg/protein) relative to the control measure of (63.731±1.131 µmol/min/mg/protein), coupled with a marked decline in SOD levels in the acute group, logged at (0.166±0.029 unit/ml) when set against the control's (0.218±0.024 unit/ml). The oxidative stress evaluation for the chronic group revealed a mean MDA concentration increase to (24.759±2.101 µmol/l), in contrast to the control level of (15.19±1.056 µmol/l). Moreover, the levels of CAT exhibited a decline in the chronic cohort, recorded at (55.367±2.831 µmol/min/mg/protein), contrasting with the control measurement of (68.362±3.877 µmol/min/mg/protein).