Polystyrene microplastics with absorbed nonylphenol induce intestinal dysfunction in human Caco-2 cells

Abstract

Due to the massive production and use of plastic, the chronic and evolving exposure to microplastics in our daily lives is omnipresent. Nonylphenol (NP), a persistent organic pollutant, may change toxicity when it co-exists with microplastics. In this study, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs), either alone or with pre-absorbed NP, generated oxidative stress and inflammatory lesions to Caco-2 cells, as well as affecting proliferation via the MAPK signaling pathway and causing apoptosis. Damage to cell membrane integrity and intestinal barrier (marked by lower transepithelial electric resistance, greater bypass transport, and tight junction structural changes) leads to enhanced internalization risk of PS-MPs. Some important intestinal functions including nutrient absorption and xenobiotic protection were also harmed. It is worth noting that the exposure of PS-MPs with a diameter of 0.1 μm improved intestinal functions quickly but acted as a chemosensitizer for a long time, inhibiting cell perception of other toxic substances and making the cells more vulnerable.