Microplastics as Vectors Influencing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endocrine Function During Early Development
6 affiliations
- 1Institute of Biology, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewski St. 22B, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
- 2Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, M. Karłowicz St. 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- 3Department of Physiology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów St. 1I, 20-708 Lublin, Poland
- 4Clinic of Hematology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, K. Ujejskiego St. 75, 85-168 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- 5Institute of Exact and Technical Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewski St. 22B, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland
- 6Department of Nature Conservation, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafran St. 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
Abstract
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are increasingly recognized as dynamic vectors capable of transporting a wide range of environmental contaminants, as well as acting as physical particulates. Their small size, high surface reactivity and strong sorption capacity allow them to carry metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine-active compounds into biological systems. This narrative review examines how these particle-contaminant complexes influence oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling and endocrine function during early development. Relevant literature was identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, with a focus on the physicochemical properties of plastics, sorption mechanisms, gut barrier physiology and developmental toxicology. Early developmental stages are particularly sensitive, as immature mucus layers, permeable epithelial junctions and underdeveloped detoxification pathways facilitate the uptake and systemic distribution of MNPLs. Once internalized, these particles and their chemical cargo promote the generation of reactive oxygen species through redox-active contaminants, surface-catalysed reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction. The resulting oxidative imbalance activates stress-responsive pathways, including Nrf2-Keap1 signaling, and promotes lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cellular dysfunction. MNPLs also stimulate inflammatory cascades by activating pattern-recognition receptors, altering cytokine profiles and disrupting epithelial homeostasis. These responses are intensified in the presence of sorbed pollutants, leading to sustained inflammatory states that can be particularly detrimental during organogenesis and immune maturation. Endocrine function is likewise affected, as MNPLs transport hormonally active chemicals and can interfere with hormone-responsive pathways through oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. These interactions may disrupt thyroid signaling, metabolic regulation and the development of the reproductive axis, with potential long-term physiological consequences. Integrating evidence from polymer chemistry, contaminant behavior and developmental physiology, this review shows that MNPLs act as biologically active vectors that may increase oxidative, inflammatory and endocrine disturbances during early development. These findings highlight the importance of considering particle-contaminant interactions as a critical component of early-life risk assessment.
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BibTeX
@article{kurhaluk2026microplastics,
title = {{Microplastics as Vectors Influencing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endocrine Function During Early Development}},
author = {Natalia Kurhaluk and Renata Kołodziejska and Anna Rymuszka and Rafał Bilski and Karolina Kaczorowska-Bilska and Vladimir I. Tomin and Piotr Kamiński and Галина Михайлівна Ткаченко},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27125452},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125452},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microplastics as Vectors Influencing Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endocrine Function During Early Development
AU - Natalia Kurhaluk
AU - Renata Kołodziejska
AU - Anna Rymuszka
AU - Rafał Bilski
AU - Karolina Kaczorowska-Bilska
AU - Vladimir I. Tomin
AU - Piotr Kamiński
AU - Галина Михайлівна Ткаченко
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/16
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27125452
UR - https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27125452
AB - Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPLs) are increasingly recognized as dynamic vectors capable of transporting a wide range of environmental contaminants, as well as acting as physical particulates. Their small size, high surface reactivity and strong sorption capacity allow them to carry metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and endocrine-active compounds into biological systems. This narrative review examines how these particle-contaminant complexes influence oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling and endocrine function during early development. Relevant literature was identified through structured searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar, with a focus on the physicochemical properties of plastics, sorption mechanisms, gut barrier physiology and developmental toxicology. Early developmental stages are particularly sensitive, as immature mucus layers, permeable epithelial junctions and underdeveloped detoxification pathways facilitate the uptake and systemic distribution of MNPLs. Once internalized, these particles and their chemical cargo promote the generation of reactive oxygen species through redox-active contaminants, surface-catalysed reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction. The resulting oxidative imbalance activates stress-responsive pathways, including Nrf2-Keap1 signaling, and promotes lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and cellular dysfunction. MNPLs also stimulate inflammatory cascades by activating pattern-recognition receptors, altering cytokine profiles and disrupting epithelial homeostasis. These responses are intensified in the presence of sorbed pollutants, leading to sustained inflammatory states that can be particularly detrimental during organogenesis and immune maturation. Endocrine function is likewise affected, as MNPLs transport hormonally active chemicals and can interfere with hormone-responsive pathways through oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. These interactions may disrupt thyroid signaling, metabolic regulation and the development of the reproductive axis, with potential long-term physiological consequences. Integrating evidence from polymer chemistry, contaminant behavior and developmental physiology, this review shows that MNPLs act as biologically active vectors that may increase oxidative, inflammatory and endocrine disturbances during early development. These findings highlight the importance of considering particle-contaminant interactions as a critical component of early-life risk assessment.
SN - 1422-0067
SN - 1661-6596
ER -