Polycarbonate nanoplastics and the in vitro assessment of their toxicological impact on liver functionality

We show the formation of polycarbonate nanoplastics through laser ablation in water. The chemical characterization proves that their surface is highly oxidized, in accordance with fragments deriving from natural photo-degradation processes. The molecular components released in the water are similar to the components released during the photo-degradation of the environmentally exposed plastic. Such a realistic mixture of the photo-degradation products PC-NPs and other by-products, makes possible the risk assessment evaluation on the biological effects of the PC-based plastic litter on human health. Considering the human liver as a possible secondary organ of exposure, the impact of PC-NPs is evaluated in vitro, using upcyte® hepatocytes as a human liver cell model. Although no cytotoxic effects were observed at relevant environmental concentrations (doses up to 40 μg/mL), an alteration of the cytochrome P450 system and the reduction of Albumin production were found starting from 24 hours of treatment. Such a detrimental impact is stable over time with a comparable impairment of the same markers after 48 hours of exposure. Through the separate evaluation of the NPs mixture components, it is proved that the observed effect may be attributed to both the nano-particulate matter and the molecular matter. Overall, these data indicate specific hepatotoxicity of the PC photo-degradation products when the particulate matter is at relevant environmental concentrations.

TOLARDO Valentina;  ROMALDINI Alessio;  FUMAGALLI Francesco;  ARMIROTTI Andrea;  VERONESI Marina;  MAGRI Davide;  SABELLA Stefania;  ATHANASSIOU Athanassia;  FRAGOULI Despina; 

2023-07-20

Elsevier

JRC129445

2588-8420 (online),   

http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D2EN00963C,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC129445,   

10.1039/D2EN00963C (online),