Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats

Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo; Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka; Chioma Joy Okonkwo; Ifenna Ilechukwu; Donatus Chuka Belonwu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats

Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo, Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka, Chioma Joy Okonkwo^*, Ifenna Ilechukwu, Donatus Chuka Belonwu

Published in Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 10, Issue 2)

Received: 11 February 2024 Accepted: 26 February 2024 Published: 31 July 2024

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Abstract

Microplastics have become a major health concern because of its potential adverse influences on marine, wildlife and public health. In this study, pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam microplastics particles of diameter < 5mm were used to investigate the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on hepatic and renal function of male and female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into seven groups for both male and female, with one control group and six test groups each. The two forms of polystyrene microplastics were incorporated into the feed of the test groups in varying quantities (1, 5 and 10 % of the feed), and exposure lasted for a period of 90 days. Results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to control male and female rats. Histological analysis provided further insights, indicating that despite mild alterations in liver enzymes, albumin and total protein levels in specific test groups, microplastics did not compromise the structural integrity of hepatocytes in male and female rats. However, kidney function parameters exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum urea, creatinine, K+, and Cl- levels in test rats of both sexes compared to controls. Regardless of sex, the trends of elevated renal markers were similar. These findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene microplastics may adversely affects renal functional capacity even at low doses.

Published in	Journal of Health and Environmental Research (Volume 10, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
Page(s)	41-51
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Kidney, Liver, Microplastics, Polystyrene, Styrofoam

References

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Okonkwo, C. J., Nnoruka, U. C., Okonkwo, C. J., Ilechukwu, I., Belonwu, D. C. (2024). Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 10(2), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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ACS Style

Okonkwo, C. J.; Nnoruka, U. C.; Okonkwo, C. J.; Ilechukwu, I.; Belonwu, D. C. Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. J. Health Environ. Res. 2024, 10(2), 41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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AMA Style

Okonkwo CJ, Nnoruka UC, Okonkwo CJ, Ilechukwu I, Belonwu DC. Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. J Health Environ Res. 2024;10(2):41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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@article{10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12,
  author = {Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo and Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka and Chioma Joy Okonkwo and Ifenna Ilechukwu and Donatus Chuka Belonwu},
  title = {Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats
},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {41-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20241002.12},
  abstract = {Microplastics have become a major health concern because of its potential adverse influences on marine, wildlife and public health. In this study, pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam microplastics particles of diameter < 5mm were used to investigate the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on hepatic and renal function of male and female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into seven groups for both male and female, with one control group and six test groups each. The two forms of polystyrene microplastics were incorporated into the feed of the test groups in varying quantities (1, 5 and 10 % of the feed), and exposure lasted for a period of 90 days. Results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to control male and female rats. Histological analysis provided further insights, indicating that despite mild alterations in liver enzymes, albumin and total protein levels in specific test groups, microplastics did not compromise the structural integrity of hepatocytes in male and female rats. However, kidney function parameters exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum urea, creatinine, K+, and Cl- levels in test rats of both sexes compared to controls. Regardless of sex, the trends of elevated renal markers were similar. These findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene microplastics may adversely affects renal functional capacity even at low doses.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats

AU  - Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo
AU  - Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka
AU  - Chioma Joy Okonkwo
AU  - Ifenna Ilechukwu
AU  - Donatus Chuka Belonwu
Y1  - 2024/07/31
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 41
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
AB  - Microplastics have become a major health concern because of its potential adverse influences on marine, wildlife and public health. In this study, pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam microplastics particles of diameter < 5mm were used to investigate the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on hepatic and renal function of male and female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into seven groups for both male and female, with one control group and six test groups each. The two forms of polystyrene microplastics were incorporated into the feed of the test groups in varying quantities (1, 5 and 10 % of the feed), and exposure lasted for a period of 90 days. Results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to control male and female rats. Histological analysis provided further insights, indicating that despite mild alterations in liver enzymes, albumin and total protein levels in specific test groups, microplastics did not compromise the structural integrity of hepatocytes in male and female rats. However, kidney function parameters exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum urea, creatinine, K+, and Cl- levels in test rats of both sexes compared to controls. Regardless of sex, the trends of elevated renal markers were similar. These findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene microplastics may adversely affects renal functional capacity even at low doses.

VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

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Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

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Chioma Joy Okonkwo

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

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Ifenna Ilechukwu

Graduate School of Engineering and Science, Department of Marine and Environmental Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan; Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers, Nigeria

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Donatus Chuka Belonwu

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria

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APA Style

Okonkwo, C. J., Nnoruka, U. C., Okonkwo, C. J., Ilechukwu, I., Belonwu, D. C. (2024). Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. Journal of Health and Environmental Research, 10(2), 41-51. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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ACS Style

Okonkwo, C. J.; Nnoruka, U. C.; Okonkwo, C. J.; Ilechukwu, I.; Belonwu, D. C. Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. J. Health Environ. Res. 2024, 10(2), 41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

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AMA Style

Okonkwo CJ, Nnoruka UC, Okonkwo CJ, Ilechukwu I, Belonwu DC. Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats. J Health Environ Res. 2024;10(2):41-51. doi: 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12,
  author = {Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo and Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka and Chioma Joy Okonkwo and Ifenna Ilechukwu and Donatus Chuka Belonwu},
  title = {Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats
},
  journal = {Journal of Health and Environmental Research},
  volume = {10},
  number = {2},
  pages = {41-51},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jher.20241002.12},
  abstract = {Microplastics have become a major health concern because of its potential adverse influences on marine, wildlife and public health. In this study, pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam microplastics particles of diameter < 5mm were used to investigate the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on hepatic and renal function of male and female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into seven groups for both male and female, with one control group and six test groups each. The two forms of polystyrene microplastics were incorporated into the feed of the test groups in varying quantities (1, 5 and 10 % of the feed), and exposure lasted for a period of 90 days. Results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to control male and female rats. Histological analysis provided further insights, indicating that despite mild alterations in liver enzymes, albumin and total protein levels in specific test groups, microplastics did not compromise the structural integrity of hepatocytes in male and female rats. However, kidney function parameters exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum urea, creatinine, K+, and Cl- levels in test rats of both sexes compared to controls. Regardless of sex, the trends of elevated renal markers were similar. These findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene microplastics may adversely affects renal functional capacity even at low doses.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Impact of Polystyrene Exposure on Hepatorenal Responses in Male and Female Albino Wistar Rats

AU  - Chinedu Joseph Okonkwo
AU  - Udoka Chukwudubem Nnoruka
AU  - Chioma Joy Okonkwo
AU  - Ifenna Ilechukwu
AU  - Donatus Chuka Belonwu
Y1  - 2024/07/31
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
T2  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JF  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
JO  - Journal of Health and Environmental Research
SP  - 41
EP  - 51
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-3592
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jher.20241002.12
AB  - Microplastics have become a major health concern because of its potential adverse influences on marine, wildlife and public health. In this study, pristine polystyrene and Styrofoam microplastics particles of diameter < 5mm were used to investigate the toxic effects of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP) exposure on hepatic and renal function of male and female Wistar rats. The rats were divided into seven groups for both male and female, with one control group and six test groups each. The two forms of polystyrene microplastics were incorporated into the feed of the test groups in varying quantities (1, 5 and 10 % of the feed), and exposure lasted for a period of 90 days. Results showed that aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared to control male and female rats. Histological analysis provided further insights, indicating that despite mild alterations in liver enzymes, albumin and total protein levels in specific test groups, microplastics did not compromise the structural integrity of hepatocytes in male and female rats. However, kidney function parameters exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum urea, creatinine, K+, and Cl- levels in test rats of both sexes compared to controls. Regardless of sex, the trends of elevated renal markers were similar. These findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene microplastics may adversely affects renal functional capacity even at low doses.

VL  - 10
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download