Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Microplastics in Mammary Cell Lines and the Potential of Resveratrol in Damage Mitigation.
Name: GABRIELA RAMIRO PINHEIRO
Publication date: 20/03/2026
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ALEXANDRE URBAN BORBELY | Examinador Externo |
| ELDAMARIA DE VARGAS WOLFGRAMM DOS SANTOS | Presidente |
| FLAVIA DE PAULA | Examinador Interno |
Summary: Brazil is considered the fourth largest producer of plastic waste in the world, and approximately 3% of this production is inadequately discarded into the environment. Once exposed to environmental conditions, this material can fragment into small
particles known as microplastics, which can contaminate water, soil, air, and food. Due to their ubiquity in the environment, humans are constantly exposed to these particles, which, because of their reduced size, are capable of entering the body and
traveling through the systemic circulation, being distributed to a variety of organs, including mammary tissue. Depending on the size, these particles can internalize within breast cells and cause cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genomic instability,
which is especially alarming in the case of a tumor cell. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of microplastics of two distinct sizes on non-tumor (MCF10-A) and tumor (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) human mammary cell lines through the
analysis of cell viability (MTT assay), proliferation (BrdU), and apoptosis (Annexin V quantification by ELISA). Cells were exposed to six different concentrations of microplastics for 24h and 72h for cell viability, and for 72h at three concentrations for
proliferation and apoptosis. Additionally, the modulating potential of the antioxidant resveratrol on the alterations induced by plastic particles was investigated. The results demonstrated that microplastics were able to modulate cellular parameters in
a manner dependent on cell type, concentration, and particle size. In the MCF10-A line, a significant increase in metabolic activity and cell proliferation was observed, associated with a reduction in apoptotic markers. In MCF-7, non-linear changes in
cell viability were detected without consistent proliferative increase. In MDA-MB-231, a reduction in metabolic activity was observed at high concentrations, accompanied by variations in proliferative indices and a reduction in apoptotic markers. The
association with resveratrol resulted in a partial modulation of the effects induced by microplastics, with the attenuation of certain metabolic and proliferative changes, although its action proved to be dependent on the cell line and experimental
conditions. It is concluded that microplastics are capable of interfering with the cellular dynamics of human mammary lines in vitro, altering the balance between metabolism, proliferation, and apoptosis. The underlying molecular mechanisms
remain to be elucidated, reinforcing the need for further investigations into the potential impacts of these particles on human health.
