Investigation of Some Prognostic Biomarkers in Autoimmune Diseases in Laboratory Mice Exposed to Polystyrene Microplastics

Background: Plastic pollution has emerged as a significant environmental hazard, with microplastics (MPs) posing potential risks to both human and animal health.Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of polystyrene MPs on the immune system, inflammation, autoantibody production, and autoimmune diseases, as well as changes in hematological and biochemical parameters in laboratory miceMethods: Twenty-four male NMRI mice (۲۵-۳۵ g) aged ۱۶ weeks were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to ۰.۱ mL of polystyrene MPs (۲ µm diameter, ۱ mg/kg) via gavage for ۴۰ and ۶۰ consecutive days. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count (CBC), sedimentation rate, biochemical (aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], blood urea nitrogen [BUN], creatinine, uric acid), and immunological (indirect immunofluorescence for autoantibodies) analyses.Results: Polystyrene MPs induced autoantibodies in serum at a dilution of ۱:۴۰ after ۶۰ days. Mice developed microcytic hypochromic anemia after ۴۰ and ۶۰ days of exposure to polystyrene MPs. White blood cell (WBC) counts increased after ۴۰ days but decreased after ۶۰ days compared to the control group. Platelet counts increased significantly after ۴۰ and ۶۰ days. Sedimentation rates increased in exposed mice after ۴۰ and ۶۰ days.Conclusion: The findings suggest that exposure to polystyrene MPs for ۶۰ days may induce autoimmune-like disease in mice. Changes in hematological parameters, as well as increased sedimentation in mice and positive autoantibody titers in mice exposed to MPs for ۶۰ days, could be the result of inflammation or the development of an autoimmune-like disease.

کلیدواژه ها:

Autoantibodies ، Autoimmune Diseases ، Indirect Immunofluorescence ، Microplastics (MPs) ، ۴T۱ Cells