Abstract:
Microplastic (MPs), diameter <5mm is becoming a major environmental health concerning
issue but however limited information is available on the exposure and toxicity of MPs on
mammal health. Our research study examined the harmful consequences of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics on body weight, blood glucose,
different blood parameters and oxidative stress of wister albino rats. SEM analysis was
performed for the characterization of PVC and PS MPs. In in-vivo analysis, the rats were
grouped into five. Four groups; Group 2 to Group 5 were exposed to PVC and PS at
different doses (300mg/kg, 1000mg/kg) and Group 1 was used as a control group. After
eight weeks of exposure, the change in body weight and blood parameters was determined
that showed a significant change on the body of rats. The significant decline in the body
weight (PVC 0.0021: PS 0.0055) and increase in blood glucose (PVC 0.0006; 0.0009 PS)
on addition of polyvinyl chloride and polystyrene to the rat’s feed. The harmful effect was
also analyzed on internal organs which depicted the increase in total cholesterol (PVC
0.0006; PS 0.0009), triglyceride (PVC 0.0001; PS 0.0026), low density lipoprotein (PVC
0.0226; PS 0.0051), alanine transaminase (PVC; PS <0.0001), albumin (PVC 0.0037; PS
0.0001), creatinine (PVC; PS <0.0001), uric acid (PVC 0.0009; PS 0.0014), superoxidase
dismutase (PVC 0.0025; PS 0.0017), malonaldehyde (PVC; PS <0.0001) whereas decrease
in high density lipoprotein (PVC 0.0255; PS 0.0057), alkaline phosphatase (PVC; PS
<0.0001) and catalase (PVC 0.0095; PS 0.030). Also, the histopathological analysis of the
renal and hepatic tissue showed the toxicological effect of PVC and PS. According to the
findings of this study, MPs like PS and PVC both have toxic effects to both people and
animals.
