Xin-Yang Wang, Hong-Zhan Liu, Sheng-Yuan Wang, Xiao-Feng Zhang
After exposure to NPs, the structure and function of β-cells are damaged, which may caused by the p-AKT/c-FOS/c-JUN signaling axis. Gln can rescue this damage by regulating this signaling axis. However, more population and in vivo experiments evidences are needed to clarify this association in a further step.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the correlation between nanoplastics (NPs) exposure and β-cells dysfunction and to investigate a suitable dietary intervention to rescue this dysfunction.
METHODS: The database of NHANES was used to analyze the correlation between the bottled water intake and fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. The morphological injury effect of NPs on β-cells was evaluated through TEM. Real-time quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence were employed to detect the expression levels of p-AKT, AKT, c-FOS and c-JUN. The Glutamine (Gln) content assay kit was used to detect the content of Gln in β-cells.
RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between bottled water intake and fasting blood glucose level, while a negative correlation with blood insulin level. The structure and function of β-cells were damaged after NPs exposure, and the expression levels of p-AKT, AKT, c-FOS and c-JUN were changed, and Gln supplementation rescued the abnormal expression of them.
CONCLUSIONS: After exposure to NPs, the structure and function of β-cells are damaged, which may caused by the p-AKT/c-FOS/c-JUN signaling axis. Gln can rescue this damage by regulating this signaling axis. However, more population and in vivo experiments evidences are needed to clarify this association in a further step.