Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Experimental Short-Term Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure Induces Organ-and Sex-Specific Antioxidant Responses in Mice

Elina Tsvetanova1,*, Lubomir Petrov1,2, Madlena Andreeva1, Georgi Petrov3,
Georgi Pramatarov4 & Albena Alexandrova1,2

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*1Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mails: elinaroum@yahoo.com (E.T.), dr.lubomir.petrov@gmail.com (L.P.), madlena_andreeva_@abv.bg (M.A.), a_alexandrova_bas@yahoo.com (A.A.)
2National Sports Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mails: lyubomir.petrov@nsa.bg (L.P.), a.alexandrova@nsa.bg (A.A.)
3Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: georgipr@abv.bg (G.Pr.)
4Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: georgipetrov5566@gmail.com (G.P.)

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.1.003008

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Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have the potential to penetrate cell membranes and have been detected in various organs. Their ability to induce damage to organisms draws increasing attention. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the antioxidant defence system of various organs following short-term exposure in an experimental animal model. Male and female SWISS albino mice were randomly divided into the Control and PS-MPs-exposed groups. The control group had ad libitum access to purified water, while the PS-MPs group received 1 μm PS-MPs suspended in purified water at a dose of 0.1 mg/day for 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, animals were euthanized, and the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, and spleen were dissected. Then, the main antioxidant enzyme activities were measured spectrophotometrically. The results showed that 14-day exposure to PS-MPs led to sex- and organ-specific alterations in enzyme activities. Compared to controls, in male mice, a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathionee peroxidase activities and an increase in catalase and glutathionee-S-transferase (GST) were observed in lungs, elevated SOD and GST activities in the liver, whereas in female mice, SOD activity in the liver was increased. These findings suggest that even short-term exposure to PS-MPs can disrupt oxidative balance in the vital organs, with sex- and tissue-specific vulnerabilities, potentially contributing to the development of disorders.

Key words

antioxidant enzymes, mice, oxidative stress, polystyrene microplastics

How to Cite
Tsvetanova E., Petrov L., Andreeva M., Petrov G., Pramatarov G. & Alexandrova A. 2026. Experimental Short-Term Polystyrene Microplastic Exposure Induces Organ-and Sex-Specific Antioxidant Responses in Mice. Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

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