Cobalt nanoparticles attenuate microplastic-induced vascular endothelial injury via Nrf2 pathway activation

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 951; p. 175711
• Main Authors: Deng, Linhua, Li, Mengjun, Jiang, Zhongjing, Xiang, Gang, He, Sihan, Zhang, Hongqi, Deng, Ang, Wang, Yunjia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.11.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Cardiovascular injury; Cobalt - toxicity; Cobalt nanoparticles; Endothelial Cells - drug effects; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Microplastics; Microplastics - toxicity; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 - metabolism; Nrf2; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; ROS; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Zebrafish; Cardiovascular injury; Microplastics; Nrf2; Cobalt nanoparticles; ROS
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175711

The widespread utilization of plastic and cobalt alloy products in industries and medicine has led to the increased presence of their degradation byproducts, microplastics (MPs), and cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs), in the environment and organisms. While these particles can circulate throughout the body via the circulatory system, their specific adverse effects and mechanisms on the vascular system remain unclear. Employing scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and other methodologies, we demonstrate the potential adsorption and aggregation phenomena between MPs and Co NPs. In vitro experiments illustrate that ingestion of either MPs or Co NPs compromises vascular endothelial cell function and induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Notably, this effect is markedly attenuated when a combination of MPs and Co NPs is administered compared to MPs alone. Additionally, zebrafish experiments validate our in vitro findings. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that both MPs and Co NPs induce aberrant Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling. Intriguingly, a weaker activation level is observed when these agents are administered in combination compared to when they are administered individually. Our study provides novel insights into the interaction between MPs and Co NPs and their detrimental effects on vascular endothelial cells. [Display omitted] •Co NPs are released from cobalt implants and enter the bloodstream.•Aggregation effects are observed when MPs and CoNPs are mixed.•In vitro and in vivo results indicate that co-exposure of MPs and Co NPs exerts a protective effect.•The co-exposure of MPs and Co NPs exerts a protective effect by reducing NRF2 reactivity.