DHA-Enriched Phosphatidylserine May Help Protect Liver from Nanoplastic Damage in Mice

This mouse study looked at how tiny plastic particles called polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) affect the liver, and whether a marine-derived compound called DHA-enriched phosphatidylserine (DHA-PS) could help offset any damage. Mice were given PS-NPs by mouth for six weeks, which led to measurable liver stress, including increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and abnormal fat buildup in liver cells.

Using detailed lab techniques (lipidomics, transcriptomics, and gut bacteria analysis), researchers found that the nanoplastics disrupted key molecular pathways involved in fat metabolism (SIRT1-AMPK and related genes) and triggered inflammatory signaling (TLR4/NF-κB) in the liver. The plastics also weakened the gut barrier and shifted gut bacteria toward less favorable types, which appeared to worsen liver injury through the gut-liver connection.

When mice were also given DHA-PS, these negative effects were reduced. The liver damage markers, fat metabolism disruptions, and gut bacteria imbalances were all improved compared to mice exposed to nanoplastics alone.