Frontiers in toxicology最新文献

{"title":"On the background of plastics nanoparticles in our research.","authors":"Martin Lundqvist, Jing Hua, Mikael T Ekvall, Tommy Cedervall","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1653106","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1653106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We must recognize that plastics likely constitute a pervasive background in many environments. Beyond their previously documented risks to ecosystems and human health, plastics may also exert unintended influences on laboratory experiments, potentially distorting experimental outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that ultrasound treatment of commonly used laboratory test tubes releases nanoplastics into ultrapure water, reaching concentrations of up to 1-2 × 10¹⁰ particles mL^-1 during water bath sonication, and we hypothesize how such contamination may affect experimental results.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1653106"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13148795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing drinking water treatment efficiency using passive sampling and cell-based bioassays.","authors":"Martin Ezechiáš, Michaela Hegrová Helusová, Gabriela Horáková, Eva Cséfalvay, Jaroslav Semerád, Ivana Kopecká, Tomáš Cajthaml","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1782869","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1782869","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) are designed to protect public health; however, residual contaminants may persist after treatment and elicit biological effects that are not fully covered by routine chemical monitoring.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we combined Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Samplers (POCIS) with in vitro bioassays to evaluate residual biological activity in raw and treated water from six full-scale DWTPs in the Czech Republic. POCIS were deployed at raw- and treated-water points to collect extracts representing mixtures of polar and semi-polar contaminants under realistic exposure conditions. These extracts were evaluated using transcriptional responses in the RTL-W1 rainbow trout cell line and receptor-mediated yeast bioassays specific for estrogenic and progestogenic activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the evaluated biomarkers, gene expression of CYP1A was the most strongly and reliably induced, indicating the presence of AhR-active substances in raw water and, in several cases, incomplete removal of these substances during treatment. In contrast, genes related to phase II detoxification, cell stress, and oxidative stress (GST, HSP, and Nrf2) responded weakly, suggesting a predominantly receptor-mediated mechanism of action rather than generalized cytotoxicity. Estrogenic activity was detected in all raw waters but was below detection limits in all treated waters, indicating efficient removal of estrogenic substances during treatment. Progestogenic activity was not detectable.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This study highlights the importance of effect-directed analysis for assessing the efficiency of drinking water treatment processes and confirms the suitability of passive sampling combined with bioassays for identifying treatment-resistant bioactivities.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1782869"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13148798/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of cannabidiol on C6 rat glioma, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma, and HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cell cultures.","authors":"Kittikun Viwatpinyo, Sujira Mukda, Aktsar Roskiana Ahmad, Sakan Warinhomhoun","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1727831","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1727831","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The treatment of central nervous system tumors remains challenging owing to their highly proliferative nature, aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. Additionally, existing treatment methods have several problems, including high risk of complications, systemic side effects, and impact on patients' quality of life. Recently, cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in <i>Cannabis sativa</i>, has emerged as an alternative therapeutic medication because of its potential antitumor activity with fewer side effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the cell viability, clonogenicity, migration, apoptotic nuclear morphology, and cell cycle phases of C6 rat glioma, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma, and HT22 immortalized mouse hippocampus neuronal cultures treated with CBD ranged between 0 and 10 μg/mL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CBD concentrations exceeding 5 μg/mL induced significant reductions in cell viability in C6 glioma and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cultures, accompanied by decreased clonogenicity in both cultures at 10 μg/mL. A scratch assay for cell migration revealed that 5 μg/mL CBD suppressed C6 glioma cell migration. Additionally, late apoptotic nuclear morphology was observed in C6 glioma cultures treated with 10 μg/mL cannabidiol. Similarly, HT22 hippocampal neuronal cultures exhibited decreased cell viability and clonogenicity, with apparent nuclear signs of apoptosis at CBD concentrations over 5 μg/mL. Notably, CBD disrupted HT22 cell migration at concentrations of 2.5 and 5 μg/mL. Proteomic profiling of C6 glioma revealed upregulation of ribosomal proteins, molecular chaperones, and modulators of cytoskeletal dynamics upon treatment with 1 μg/mL CBD. In comparison, treatment with 2.5 μg/mL CBD led to marked downregulation of endoplasmic reticulum chaperones, mitochondrial ATP synthase, and cytoskeletal regulators.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings confirm the sensitivity of glioma, neuroblastoma, and hippocampal neuronal cultures to CBD, providing valuable insights for further research into its therapeutic potential against glioma, neuroblastoma, and neuronal disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1727831"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13138797/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Examining <i>in vivo</i> effects of silychristin, a potent <i>in vitro</i> inhibitor of thyroid hormone transporter MCT8.","authors":"Kostja Renko, Ryne Thomas, MaryAnn Hawks, Jermaine Ford, Josef Köhrle, Marta Axelstad, Mary E Gilbert","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1796387","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1796387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thyroid hormone (TH) availability is particularly critical for early brain development. TH transport across the blood-brain barrier is facilitated through two main transmembrane transporters: monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) and organic anion transporter 1C1 (OATP1C1). Inhibition of MCT8-mediated TH transport has been identified for a number of environmental chemicals using <i>in vitro</i> screening assays. Here we examined the <i>in vivo</i> effects of exposure to a potent <i>in vitro</i> inhibitor of MCT8, the flavonolignan silychristin, on several aspects of the TH system. Adult female rats were daily gavaged with 0, 250, or 500 mg/kg/day (n = 10/group) of silychristin for 7 days and euthanized on day 8. A smaller group (n = 5/group) of rats was administered the related flavonolignan, silybin (900 mg/kg), or the milk-thistle-derived flavonolignan mixture, silymarin (1,500 mg/kg). Serum TH concentrations were not changed in any treatment group. <i>Mct8</i> and <i>Oatp1c1</i> expression were upregulated in the choroid plexus upon silymarin exposure, without change in response to silychristin or silybin. Deiodinase 1 and dehalogenase activities, unchanged in the liver, were increased in the thyroid by the high dose of silychristin. These changes may have been triggered by increased thyroidal TH content, consequent to a reduction in MCT8-mediated TH efflux. Pharmacokinetic properties of silychristin and other flavonoids result in their low bioavailability and likely contributed to the largely negative findings. These observations demonstrate the challenges in extrapolating results from <i>in vitro</i> models to studies in intact organisms, showcasing the importance of selecting appropriate animal models and the best experimental design for assessing effects on human health.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1796387"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13138798/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protein quality and allergenicity assessment of chia seeds (<i>Salvia hispanica</i>): a molecular perspective on novel food safety.","authors":"Luisa Calcinai, Sara Cutroneo, Ilaria Puxeddu, Simon Dirr, Özlem Özmutlu Karslioglu, Tullia Tedeschi","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1735718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1735718","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Purpose: &lt;/strong&gt;This study aimed to assess the protein quality and allergenic potential of chia seeds (&lt;i&gt;Salvia hispanica&lt;/i&gt;), introduced in European market as a novel food (Regulation European Union 2015/2283) in 2019. Although chia is increasingly used as a plant-based ingredient, information regarding its protein profile and sequences is still limited. It follows that, without this essential knowledge, information of its allergenic potential is also lacking. Therefore, this work pose itself as a first building block, providing a detailed molecular characterisation of chia proteins and evaluating their allergenic potential and IgE cross-reactivity with other known allergens, such as sesame (&lt;i&gt;Sesamum indicum&lt;/i&gt;).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Three chia flour samples-partial defatted flour as reference, standardised partial defatted flour, and protein concentrate-were analysed. Protein content was determined by Kjeldahl method. Protein quality was evaluated based on the amino acid profile and the estimation of amino acid score. Proteins were identified by SDS-PAGE through comparison with existing literature and then confirmed by in solution tryptic digestion coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. Allergenicity was assessed by &lt;i&gt;in silico&lt;/i&gt; sequence homology analysis with characterised sesame linear epitopes and &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; immunoblotting using sera from sesame-allergic patients.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The protein content ranged from 25% to 26% in the raw materials to 56% in the concentrate. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE profiles were comparable between samples, confirming the effectiveness of the extraction method applied. All samples showed balanced amino acid profiles and amino acid scores above one, meeting FAO/WHO requirements for adults and children. The main proteins identified in chia were 11S and 7S globulins, albumins and oleosins. The identified chia peptides were used to obtain a coverage of these with sesame protein sequences, confirming the attended homology. The potential cross-reactivity with sesame proteins, primarily retrieved from the literature, was then confirmed &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt;. IgE-binding was detected for major chia proteins, such as 11S and 7S globulin, and 2S albumin endorsing the attended cross-reactivity with sesame proteins.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study provided insights on the effectiveness of the extraction method applied on chia protein quality, which is essential for their inclusion in balanced food formulations. The approach used for assessing allergenicity also highlighted that the level of molecular and immunological knowledge can differ among novel foods, making it challenging to define a general methodological framework for evaluating their allergenic potential and cross-reactivity risks. These results can be useful both as starting point for the inclusion of protein extracts from chia seeds as safe ingredient, while also highlighting the current ","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1735718"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13135838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147846891","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptomic and functional profiling of endothelial dysfunction induced by polystyrene nanoplastics.","authors":"Joan Martín-Pérez, Aliro Villacorta, Javier Gutiérrez-García, Raquel Egea, Michelle Morataya-Reyes, Mireia Cassú-Casadevall, Irene Barguilla, Ricard Marcos, Alba Hernández, Alba García-Rodríguez","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1812922","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1812922","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) in human blood raises concerns about their vascular impact and their potential contribution to cardiovascular diseases. Endothelial cells are a primary target of circulating MNPLs; however, the molecular and functional consequences of this exposure remain largely undefined.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we exposed primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to carboxylated polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPLs; 30, 50, and 100 nm) and integrated RNA sequencing with targeted functional assays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Transcriptomics revealed a robust response characterized by coordinated dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis, genotoxic stress and DNA repair, inflammatory signaling, and endothelial plasticity (endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition). Guided by these signatures, functional assays confirmed increased intracellular cholesterol, DNA damage, remodelling of migratory capacity and angiogenic behaviour, and reduced IL-6 secretion.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Overall, the concordance between transcriptomic programs and functional endpoints supports a mechanistic framework in which PS-NPL exposure rewires endothelial metabolic and stress-response networks, with downstream consequences for key vascular functions. Differences across the nanoscale range modulated the magnitude and temporal profile of specific endpoints, but the shared molecular core response predominated across treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1812922"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132504/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147824393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New approach methodologies (NAMs) to support regulatory assessment of developmental immunotoxicity - a new PARC project.","authors":"Nicola M Smith, Véronique M P de Bruijn, Rob J Vandebriel, Rita Hargitai, Katalin Lumniczky, Aafke W F Janssen, Karsten Beekmann, Birol Usta, Julia Tigges, Christiane Spruck, Selma Hurem, Martina Iulini, Emanuela Corsini, Anne Bado-Nilles, Rémy Beaudouin, Ioanna Katsiadaki, Irene Cano, Marion Sebire, Humblenoble Stembridge Ayuk, Violeta Stojanovska, Ana C Zenclussen, Etienne B Blanc, Saadia Kerdine-Römer, Rafaela Lacerda, Luísa Romão, Pablo Monfort-Lanzas, Johanna M Gostner, Archibold Mposhi, Jonathan D Turner, Giorgia Del Favero, Birgitte Lindeman","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1740390","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1740390","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current testing strategy for the assessment of developmental immunotoxicity (DIT) in European chemicals regulations has well recognised limitations. In response to these limitations, the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) initiated a 4-year DIT project in May 2025. This project comprises 14 partner institutions and will tackle two primary objectives: a) to enhance the DIT knowledgebase and refine the understanding of critical phases of immune system development, and b) to facilitate the transition towards the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in DIT risk assessment. The first objective will be approached by reviews of existing literature and the continued advancement of a physiological map of human immune system development. The reviews and the physiological map will in turn serve as foundational tools to support NAMs and Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) development. Addressing the second objective, the project has a short-term aim to promote a testing strategy that leverages current immunotoxicity assays and their modifications to inform regulatory decision processes such as screening, prioritisation and read-across analyses. In the longer term, novel NAMs, encompassing developmental processes, will be developed and assessed for their regulatory applicability. While the primary focus of this PARC project is on the enhancement of human DIT risk assessment, it also aims to contribute to the advancement of ecotoxicological evaluation of immunotoxicity.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1740390"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132502/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147824388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of enzymatic, acidic, and alkaline digestion protocols for organic matrix removal from lyophilized and frozen mussel samples (<i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i>).","authors":"S Turmanova, Y Hristov, D Kiryakova, E Ivanova, P Atanasova, G Kolchakova, A Ilieva, E Mollova, A Dimitrov, N Todorov, G Grigorova","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1808944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1808944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Efficient removal of organic matter from biological matrices is a critical step in the analysis of microplastics in marine organisms. In this study, enzymatic (Kreon®25,000), acidic (HNO₃ + H₂O₂), and alkaline (KOH + H₂O₂) digestion protocols were comparatively evaluated for the treatment of lyophilized and frozen <i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i> samples. Digestion efficiency was assessed gravimetrically, while the effects of the protocols on polymer integrity were examined using ATR-FTIR, HQI analysis, and microscopic observations on representative polymers (HDPE, PA, PET, PVC). All three methods demonstrated high digestion efficiencies (>96%). Acidic digestion provided rapid and stable removal of organic matter within 20 min, whereas enzymatic digestion required longer incubation times (2-24 h) but exerted the least impact on polymer integrity. Frozen samples consistently showed slightly higher digestion efficiencies compared to lyophilized ones, likely due to preserved tissue hydration facilitating reagent penetration. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses revealed that HDPE and PET maintained their structural and chemical integrity under all treatments, whereas PA and PVC exhibited surface alterations after acidic digestion. Enzymatic and alkaline protocols did not produce visible or spectral changes in any polymer type. Based on these findings, the enzymatic protocol was selected for recovery experiments. Mass-corrected recovery values ranged from 92.87% to 95.36% for PA, PET, and PVC, and 75.69% for HDPE, indicating that the method allows effective isolation of most polymers while preserving their integrity. The results demonstrate that although all digestion methods are efficient in removing organic matter, enzymatic digestion provides the most reliable approach for microplastic analysis in <i>Mytilus galloprovincialis</i>, ensuring both high digestion efficiency and preservation of polymer characteristics.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1808944"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13124124/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From beauty to burden: mapping the health and psychosocial impacts of fragrances and cosmetic products use in the UAE.","authors":"Sharifa AlBlooshi, Mariam Al Ali, Dana N Abdelrahim, Suheir Awadalla","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1758512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1758512","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The dynamic beauty care sector in the Middle East is on an upward trend in the UAE; however, concerns persist about the side effects of this industry, attributed to chemical exposure, which is believed to contribute to skin problems and other health issues. In the UAE, there is a lack of data on consumer usage, awareness, and the health effects associated with it.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study presents the results of an online survey administered to 461 female subjects in the United Arab Emirates as part of a cross-sectional study. The survey consisted of 55 questions on product use, knowledge, attitudes, safety measures, and potential adverse health effects. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied to identify predictors of adverse reactions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 461 participants, most were aged 18-29 years (55.7%) and university educated (68.3%). The application of scent and makeup was almost widespread, as 91.5% of users applied scented products daily, and 100% of users mentioned cosmetics, 36.4% of respondents reported health problems caused by the use of these products, with the most common issues being persistent respiratory problems (16.3%), headaches (15.8%), and skin irritation (11.9%). Knowledge of fragrance safety was moderate, with only 43.8% recognizing that fragrances contain complex chemical mixtures. The study demonstrated daily cosmetic use in 75.1% of individuals who frequently perform allergy tests, and limited safety practices in 6.7% of these individuals. While allergy testing was protective, logistic regression analysis revealed that younger age, higher education, a history of allergies, and frequent product use were predictors of adverse events. This has led to the association of widespread use of fragrances and cosmetics amongst women in the UAE with major respiratory and dermatological problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1758512"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13124122/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics with different particle sizes on growth, physiology, and intestinal microbiota of <i>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</i>.","authors":"Qiaoyan Zhou, Yakun Wang, Jie Wei, Tianhui Jiao, Sikai Xu, Kunhao Hong, Yayi Huang, Zikang Tu, Yurong Zhang, Yongchun Huang, Lingyun Yu","doi":"10.3389/ftox.2026.1797231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ftox.2026.1797231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study addresses a critical knowledge gap regarding the long-term, multi-size-dependent toxic effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) on economically important freshwater aquaculture species, specifically the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). Given the severe microplastic pollution in intensive aquaculture regions like China's Pearl River Delta, understanding these impacts is vital for ecological risk assessment and sustainable aquaculture.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Post-larval M. rosenbergii were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (1 mg/L) of fluorescent PVC-MPs of three particle sizes (30, 60, 90 μm) for 28 days, followed by a 14-day recovery period in clean water. A comprehensive analysis was conducted, including assessments of growth and survival, microplastic accumulation, tissue ultrastructure and apoptosis, gene expression related to antioxidant defense, immunity, and growth, and intestinal microbiota composition.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Exposure to PVC-MPs significantly inhibited growth and reduced survival, with the 90 μm particles showing the strongest effect. MPs accumulated in gills and intestines within one day and entered the circulatory system. They caused significant ultrastructural damage and increased apoptosis in gills, intestines, and hepatopancreas. Molecular responses showed an initial upregulation followed by suppression of antioxidant and immune-related genes after long-term exposure. Gut microbiota analysis revealed dysbiosis, characterized by decreased Firmicutes and increased Proteobacteria. Recovery experiments indicated particle-size-dependent clearance: large (90 μm) MPs were completely eliminated within 14 days, while smaller particles (30, 60 μm) persisted in tissues.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>PVC-MPs impair M. rosenbergii growth through physical damage, oxidative stress, immune suppression, and gut microbiota dysbiosis, with toxicity and clearance efficiency being particle-size-dependent. These findings provide insights into the ecological risks of microplastics in aquaculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":73111,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in toxicology","volume":"8 ","pages":"1797231"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13105459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147790990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}