Microplastics increase the hepato-pathophysiological complications and decrease the therapeutic efficacy of Metformin in T2-DM rats

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 physiology, Zoology Department, faculty of science, Tanta University

2 Marine Biology Department, Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, KSA

3 Histology, Zoology Department, faculty of science, Tanta University

Abstract

Background: The widespread usage of plastic materials in the majority of daily activities has made microplastics (MPs) contamination a global issue.

Aim of the work: This study addressed how long-term MPs administration affected the hepato-pathophysiological changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM) rats.

Materials and Methods: Forty Sprague Dawley rats were separated into; group 1 (Gp1) serving as a negative control. Rats from Gp2 to Gp4 were maintained on a high-fat diet (HFD) for twelve weeks. Subsequently injected with streptozotocin (30 mg/kg b.wt.) intraperitoneally (i.p.). As a single dose, 150 mg/kg b.wt of metformin (Met) was administered orally to Gp3. A dose of 50 mg/kg b.wt of MPs was provided orally to Gp4. Gp5 received Met, and MPs. Treatments with Met or Met/MPs were carried out for eight weeks, daily. The percentages of changes in rats' body weight were examined, as well as the hematological, biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses were confirmed.

Results: Met therapy improved the hepato-pathophysiological changes in T2-DM rats. Hepato-pathophysiological alterations increased upon MPs were administered to T2-DM rats. Furthermore, administering MPs along with Met decreased the effectiveness of its treatment. These findings were further confirmed by histological and immunohistochemical examinations that revealed by disorganization of the hepatic architecture, vacuolated hepatocytes, some with pyknotic nuclei and highly significance of caspase 3 immunoreaction expression specially in liver tissues of MPs administered group

Conclusion: This study showed that MPs increased the hepato-pathophysiological changes in T2-DM rats and decreased Met effectiveness. The mechanisms underlying these effects need to be further investigated.

Keywords

Egyptian Journal of Histology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 October 2025

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