A single dose of microplastic particles induces changed in organ weight of male Wistar rats

Abstract

Increased plastic usage creates environmental problems due to its accumulation and degradation into microplastic particles (MP), less than 5 mm in diameter. Particles from various sources like food and beverages contaminated with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) could accumulate in different tissues exerting adverse effects. Since data regarding potential acute toxicity in doses that represent realistic/daily ingested MP doses are entirely lacking, male Wistar rats were exposed to a single dose (1.4, 35 or 125 mg/kg) of PET-generated MP by oral gavage. Changes in wet organ weight to body weight ratio of testicles, adrenal glands and kidneys were examined 24 h following the treatment. Results point to increased organ/body weight ratio of testicles in rats exposed to two higher MP doses, while adrenal glands were augmented only after treatment with 125 mg/kg. Further research is needed to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of the observed phenomenon.