Fund programs: National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 42177416);Medical Research Key Project of Hubei University of Science and Technology(No. 2022YKY01);Key Specialized Research Project of Science and Technology Planning of Xiangning City,Hubei Province(No. 2023SFYF095);Hubei Provincial Natural Sci_ ence Foundation(No. 2025AFD389)
Authors:Zhu Deyu1,2,Huang Qi1,2,Liang Xiao2,3,Wei Zhuangzhuang1,2,Bao Xinyu2,Ma Ping2,Wu Yang2,Bao Cuiyu2
Keywords:polystyrene microplastics;oxidative stress;vascular toxicity;vascular endothelial injury;vascular remodeling;luteolin;environmental pollutants
DOI:10.19405/j.cnki.issn1000-1492.2026.03.007
〔Abstract〕 Objective To explore the vascular endothelial injury in male mice caused by exposure to polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs)and the intervention effect of luteolin on vascular remodeling. Additionally,to investigate the mechanism through the oxidative system and metabolomics. Methods Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice(6-8 weeks old)were randomly divided into the saline group(saline group),the 0. 1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group(0. 1PS- MPs group),the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs exposure group(1PS-MPs group),and the 1 mg/kg PS-MPs + luteolin treatment group(1PS-MPs + Lut group),with 8 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of intervention,the body weight,blood pressure,aortic organ coefficient,and aortic histopathological changes of mice in each group were detected;the to_tal cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)lipid metabolism-related indicators in the aorta of mice were detected;the reactive oxygen species(ROS),glutathione(GSH),and malondialdehyde(MDA)oxidative stress-related indicators were detected;the endothelin(ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1/CD 106), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1/CD54)endothelial function-related indicators and serum metabolo_ mics were detected. Results Compared to the saline group,exposure to PS-MPs resulted in pathological thicken_ing of the mouse aorta,increased aortic organ coefficient,and elevated blood pressure. Lipid metabolism-related indicators,including TC and TG,were elevated,while HDL-C was reduced,indicating lipid metabolism disorder in mice. Oxidative stress markers such as ROS and MDA increased,whereas GSH decreased,demonstrating oxidative damage. Vascular endothelial inflammation and injury markers,including ET-1,VEGF-A,VCAM-1,and ICAM-1,were upregulated,while the vasodilatory substance NO was downregulated,confirming endothelial injury. Furthermore,serum metabolomics results revealed that PS-MPs exposure induced endothelial damage by disrupting metabolic pathways such as the citrate cycle. Compared to the PS-MPs group,luteolin significantly reversed these effects,attenuating oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders,and effectively repairing endothelial injury. Conclusion PS-MPs induce vascular toxicity through oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Luteolin effectively alleviates endothelial damage and vascular remodeling.