Exposure to polystyrene particles causes anxiety-, depression-like behavior and abnormal social behavior in mice

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2023-07, Vol.454, p.131465-131465, Article 131465
• Main Authors: Shin, Hyun Seung, Lee, Seung Hyun, Moon, Ha Jung, So, Yun Hee, Lee, Ha Ram, Lee, Eun-Hee, Jung, Eui-Man
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anxiety - chemically induced; Behavior; Brain development; Depression - chemically induced; Gabra2; Mammals - metabolism; Mice; Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanoplastics; Polystyrene particles; Polystyrenes - metabolism; Polystyrenes - toxicity; Social Behavior; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131465

In the era of plastic use, organisms are constantly exposed to polystyrene particles (PS-Ps). PS-Ps accumulated in living organisms exert negative effects on the body, although studies evaluating their effects on brain development are scarce. In this study, the effects of PS-Ps on nervous system development were investigated using cultured primary cortical neurons and mice exposed to PS-Ps at different stages of brain development. The gene expression associated with brain development was downregulated in embryonic brains following PS-Ps exposure, and Gabra2 expression decreased in the embryonic and adult mice exposed to PS-Ps. Additionally, offspring of PS-Ps-treated dams exhibited signs of anxiety- and depression-like behavior, and abnormal social behavior. We propose that PS-Ps accumulation in the brain disrupts brain development and behavior in mice. This study provides novel information regarding PS-Ps toxicity and its harmful effects on neural development and behavior in mammals. [Display omitted] •Polystyrene particle accumulation in living organisms has negative body effects.•Polystyrene particles reduced gene expression related to brain development in embryonic brains.•Polystyrene particles led to Gabra2 expression change in offspring mouse brains.•Polystyrene particle exposure causes anxiety, depression, and social deficit in mice.