Plastic Fly: What Drosophila melanogaster Can Tell Us about the Biological Effects and the Carcinogenic Potential of Nanopolystyrene

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2024-07, Vol.25 (14), p.7965
• Main Authors: Aloisi, Massimo, Grifoni, Daniela, Zarivi, Osvaldo, Colafarina, Sabrina, Morciano, Patrizia, Poma, Anna Maria Giuseppina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Animals; Apoptosis; Biodistribution; carcinogenic nanoplastics; Carcinogens; Carcinogens - toxicity; Cytotoxicity; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila melanogaster - drug effects; Drosophila melanogaster - genetics; Drosophila Proteins - genetics; Drosophila Proteins - metabolism; Eggs; Electric properties; Fat Body - drug effects; Fat Body - metabolism; genotoxicity; in vivo models; Insects; Larva - drug effects; Longevity - drug effects; Metabolism; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - toxicity; nanopolystyrene; Oxidative stress; Plastic pollution; Polystyrenes - toxicity; Scanning electron microscopy
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147965

Today, plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to the environment and public health. In the tissues of exposed species, micro- and nano-fragments accumulate, leading to genotoxicity, altered metabolism, and decreased lifespan. A model to investigate the genotoxic and tumor-promoting potential of nanoplastics (NPs) is . Here we tested polystyrene, which is commonly used in food packaging, is not well recycled, and makes up at least 30% of landfills. In order to investigate the biological effects and carcinogenic potential of 100 µm polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), we raised Oregon [R] wild-type flies on contaminated food. After prolonged exposure, fluorescent PSNPs accumulated in the gut and fat bodies. Furthermore, PSNP-fed flies showed considerable alterations in weight, developmental time, and lifespan, as well as a compromised ability to recover from starvation. Additionally, we noticed a decrease in motor activity in DNA mutants fed with PSNPs, which are known to be susceptible to dietary stressors. A qPCR molecular investigation of the larval intestines revealed a markedly elevated expression of the genes and , suggesting a response to cell damage. Lastly, we used -defective mutants to assess the carcinogenic potential of PSNPs and discovered that exposed flies had more aberrant masses than untreated ones. In summary, our findings support the notion that ingested nanopolystyrene triggers metabolic and genetic modifications in the exposed organisms, eventually delaying development and accelerating death and disease.