2. Academic Validation
  3. Polystyrene nanoplastics readily penetrate intestine and cause sex-specific effects mediated by bile acids and microbiome

Polystyrene nanoplastics readily penetrate intestine and cause sex-specific effects mediated by bile acids and microbiome

  • Cell Rep. 2026 Feb 24;45(2):116859. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116859.
Jing Li 1,  Zeyan Li 1,  Qixue Bao 1,  Yuling Chen 2,  Mengxing Zhang 3,  Run Tian 1,  Xitong Yang 1,  Zhenmi Liu 1,  Yuqin Yao 1,  Qing Lin 2,  Zhirong Zhang 2,  Lin Li 4,  Ling Zhang 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • 2 West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • 3 College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
  • 4 West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5 West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; College of Polymer Science and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41575856 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116859
Abstract

Orally ingested nanoplastics can enter the blood flow; however, their digestive tract fate is unclear. We found that ∼60% of ingested polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) cross the intestine wall in 3 h, but most are captured by the liver and discharged via the biliary system. Nanoparticle-bound bile acids (BAs) and Apical Sodium-Dependent Bile Acid Transporter (ASBT) mediate this fast absorption of PSNPs. In the liver, PSNPs block CYP7A1 degradation by disrupting lysosome biogenesis, which promotes BA synthesis and increases colitis susceptibility of mice by reducing Lactobacillus and increasing Enterobacteriaceae. Significant sexual dimorphism is unexpectedly discovered after PSNP treatment, where male mice are more sensitive than females due to the higher ASBT expression on enterocytes in males. In summary, our results could guide usage of plastic and prompt design of efficient carriers for oral drug delivery as well as indicate that sex should not be ignored both in drug administration and disease.

Keywords

CP: Metabolism; CP: Molecular biology; bile acids; microbiome; nanoplastics; oral delivery; sexual dimorphism.

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