The Bio-distribution, Clearance Pathways, and Toxicity Mechanisms of Ambient Ultrafine Particles

Overview

Journal Eco Environ Health

Date 2023 Dec 11

PMID 38074989

Authors

Dongyang Han

Renjie Chen

Haidong Kan

Yanyi Xu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Ambient particles severely threaten human health worldwide. Compared to larger particles, ultrafine particles (UFPs) are highly concentrated in ambient environments, have a larger specific surface area, and are retained for a longer time in the lung. Recent studies have found that they can be transported into various extra-pulmonary organs by crossing the air-blood barrier (ABB). Therefore, to understand the adverse effects of UFPs, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate their bio-distribution and clearance pathways after inhalation, as well as their toxicological mechanisms. This review highlights emerging evidence on the bio-distribution of UFPs in pulmonary and extra-pulmonary organs. It explores how UFPs penetrate the ABB, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the placental barrier (PB) and subsequently undergo clearance by the liver, kidney, or intestine. In addition, the potential underlying toxicological mechanisms of UFPs are summarized, providing fundamental insights into how UFPs induce adverse health effects.

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