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Microplastic exposure disturbs sleep structure, reduces lifespan, and decreases ovary size in Drosophila melanogaster
Go to source). Plastics, including microplastics, have become pervasive in our environment. According to the United Nations, more than 400 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with tens of millions of tons of plastic waste polluting oceans worldwide. Addressing plastic pollution has become a critical global imperative.
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Microplastics have been found in 100% of human stool samples analyzed in a study involving participants from eight different countries. #microplastics #fruitfly’
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Microplastics have been found in 100% of human stool samples analyzed in a study involving participants from eight different countries. #microplastics #fruitfly’
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Hidden Dangers of Microplastics
In this study, the researchers assessed the systemic toxicity of MPs in fruit flies by concentrating on key aspects of general health, including sleep patterns, lifespan, and fecundity.The fruit flies were fed diets spiked with two distinct concentrations of MPs: 1×MPs at 0.02 mg/mL and 10×MPs at 0.2 mg/mL. The exposure periods encompassed various developmental stages, spanning from 2 days to 10 weeks.
Experimental results showed that MP exposure led to intestinal damage, disrupted sleep patterns, reduced ovary size, shortened lifespan, and genotoxic effects revealed by RNA-seq analysis.
Moreover, while microplastics did not penetrate the brain or ovaries, transcriptome analysis showed genotoxic effects impacting inflammation, circadian regulation, metabolic processes in the ovary, proteolysis, and carbohydrate metabolism processes in the brain.
"Our research indicates that microplastics pose a comprehensive threat to the health and longevity of organisms, extending far beyond the previously understood organ-specific effects," said Prof. LI and Prof. LIU.
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Reference:
- Microplastic exposure disturbs sleep structure, reduces lifespan, and decreases ovary size in Drosophila melanogaster - (https://www.zoores.ac.cn/en/article/doi/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.038)
Source-Eurekalert