Micro- and nano plastics (MNPs) have emerged as one of the most significant environmental challenges of the past decade, raising concerns about their potentially harmful effects on human health. This doctoral thesis aims to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between MNPs and living organisms identifying and quantifying biomarkers suitable for monitoring exposure and early biological effects. This work is divided into two different study lines. In study line I, we critically analysed the available literature performing comprehensive, state-of-art, and systematic reviews on the exposure routes, translocation, fate, and early biological effects of MNPs in vitro, in vivo models, and human studies. In study line II, we performed field epidemiological studies in occupational settings using standardised methodologies enabling the investigation of MNPs effects through human biomonitoring (HBM) and key biomarkers, already analysed in the study line I, reflecting oxidative stress (i.e., Malondialdehyde, 15-f2t-Isoprostane, Total Antioxidant Power), inflammation (Interleukins (IL) IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha “TNF-α”), and cito and genotoxicity (Comet assay, Sister Chromatid Exchange, Chromosomal Aberrations). Special attention was given to innovative biological matrices such as exhaled breath condensate (EBC), which can provide precise information on the respiratory tract microenvironment. In the field studies, 80 workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials, were examined assessing their exposure levels through epidemiological questionnaires, environmental measures and HBM. The latter has been implemented on non-invasively collected biological samples (urine, EBC), and by means of advanced analytical methods such as Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), high-sensitivity Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). The latter, measures the number of particles in EBC using the NTA instrument, and was implemented and analysed for the first time in a multicentre study to identify an additional internal dose biomarker not yet investigated in the literature. The results revealed significant associations between particle concentration, inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in EBC, suggesting that exposure to MNPs can modulate inflammation and oxidative stress levels, with EBC and NTA emerging as promising tools for assessing internal dose and associated risks. Additionally, a second field study was conducted on a cohort of 53 workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials (glass and minerals). Exposure levels were assessed through epidemiological questionnaires, and both urine and EBC samples were collected. Using analytical techniques such as ELISA, qPCR-ELISA, and NTA, inflammatory biomarkers (cytokines) and oxidative stress markers, previously investigated in the prior study, were analysed. This work has not yet been published; the analyses are still ongoing. However, preliminary results have revealed significant associations in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers between exposed and non-exposed individuals, respectively in EBC and urine samples. These findings provide a foundation for developing prevention and monitoring strategies for MNPs exposure, contributing to a better understanding of their impact on human health.

Epidemiological applications of inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers to assess the early effects of human exposure to micro and nano-plastics(2025 Jan 17).

Epidemiological applications of inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers to assess the early effects of human exposure to micro and nano-plastics

PANIZZOLO, MARCO
2025-01-17

Abstract

Micro- and nano plastics (MNPs) have emerged as one of the most significant environmental challenges of the past decade, raising concerns about their potentially harmful effects on human health. This doctoral thesis aims to investigate the mechanisms of interaction between MNPs and living organisms identifying and quantifying biomarkers suitable for monitoring exposure and early biological effects. This work is divided into two different study lines. In study line I, we critically analysed the available literature performing comprehensive, state-of-art, and systematic reviews on the exposure routes, translocation, fate, and early biological effects of MNPs in vitro, in vivo models, and human studies. In study line II, we performed field epidemiological studies in occupational settings using standardised methodologies enabling the investigation of MNPs effects through human biomonitoring (HBM) and key biomarkers, already analysed in the study line I, reflecting oxidative stress (i.e., Malondialdehyde, 15-f2t-Isoprostane, Total Antioxidant Power), inflammation (Interleukins (IL) IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha “TNF-α”), and cito and genotoxicity (Comet assay, Sister Chromatid Exchange, Chromosomal Aberrations). Special attention was given to innovative biological matrices such as exhaled breath condensate (EBC), which can provide precise information on the respiratory tract microenvironment. In the field studies, 80 workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials, were examined assessing their exposure levels through epidemiological questionnaires, environmental measures and HBM. The latter has been implemented on non-invasively collected biological samples (urine, EBC), and by means of advanced analytical methods such as Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), high-sensitivity Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs), and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA). The latter, measures the number of particles in EBC using the NTA instrument, and was implemented and analysed for the first time in a multicentre study to identify an additional internal dose biomarker not yet investigated in the literature. The results revealed significant associations between particle concentration, inflammatory cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in EBC, suggesting that exposure to MNPs can modulate inflammation and oxidative stress levels, with EBC and NTA emerging as promising tools for assessing internal dose and associated risks. Additionally, a second field study was conducted on a cohort of 53 workers potentially exposed to nanomaterials (glass and minerals). Exposure levels were assessed through epidemiological questionnaires, and both urine and EBC samples were collected. Using analytical techniques such as ELISA, qPCR-ELISA, and NTA, inflammatory biomarkers (cytokines) and oxidative stress markers, previously investigated in the prior study, were analysed. This work has not yet been published; the analyses are still ongoing. However, preliminary results have revealed significant associations in the levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers between exposed and non-exposed individuals, respectively in EBC and urine samples. These findings provide a foundation for developing prevention and monitoring strategies for MNPs exposure, contributing to a better understanding of their impact on human health.
17-gen-2025
37
SCIENZE FARMACEUTICHE E BIOMOLECOLARI
SQUILLACIOTI, Giulia
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/2051550
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