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Climate-Modulated Particle Toxicity: Acute Exposure to an Environmentally Informed Microplastic Mixture Induces
Guilherme Malafaia1,2,3, Rafaela Ribeiro de Brito3, Aline Sueli de Lima de Rodrigues1,2
1Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute - Urutaí Campus, Urutaí, Goiás, Brazil.
Environmental Toxicology
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Acute microplastic (MP) exposure causes physiological and behavioral changes in mice, influenced by dose and climate conditions. MP toxicity risks may be underestimated in controlled lab settings.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Mammalian physiology
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing environmental concern.
- Current research often uses controlled conditions that may underestimate real-world risks, especially for short-term exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate physiological changes in mice due to acute oral MP exposure under different climate regimes.
- To assess the impact of MP mixtures (PE, PS, PP, PVC) on biomarkers and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Mice were exposed to MP doses (8 and 80 mg/kg/day) for 7 days under realistic and pessimistic thermal regimes.
- Analyzed MP accumulation in the liver, oxidative stress and biotransformation biomarkers (ROS, MDA, SOD, CAT, GST), and behavioral responses.
- Utilized multivariate analyses (PERMANOVA, PCoA, multivariate trajectories, Distance to Control, PLS-DA) and network analysis.
Main Results:
- MPs accumulated in the liver, with variations based on sex and exposure.
- Observed alterations in oxidative stress, biotransformation biomarkers, and behavioral changes (locomotion, anxiety).
- Pessimistic climate regime exacerbated effects, particularly in males, with significant deviations from control groups.
Conclusions:
- Acute MP exposure induces measurable physiological shifts under dynamic environmental conditions.
- MP toxicity is context-dependent and potentially underestimated by conventional methods.
- Highlights the need for ecologically realistic ecotoxicological frameworks to assess MP risks.
