Exploring the toxicological and cytomorphological effects of low-density polyethylene nanoplastics: Insights from an in vitro study of human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell lines.

The increasing prevalence of nanoplastics in the environment has raised significant toxicological concerns due to their potential to accumulate in biological systems and disrupt cellular homeostasis. This study investigates the structural and morphological alterations induced by low-density polyethylene nanoplastics (LDPE-NP), with particular emphasis on cytotoxic and morphological changes. Microscopic evaluation revealed pronounced cellular abnormalities following nanoplastic exposure, including cellular pleomorphism, nuclear membrane irregularities, increased nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratios, enhanced mitotic activity, and multinucleation. Cytoplasmic alterations were characterized by prominent vacuolization, comprising both macro vesicular and micro vesicular vacuoles, with micro vesicular vacuoles predominantly localized in the perinuclear region. Cell proliferation analysis showed a modest, concentration-dependent reduction at short term exposure of LDPE-NP at 48-72 h, with minimal reduction in the proliferative potential, suggesting mild cytotoxic effects of LDPE-NP under the experimental conditions. Although exposure to nanoplastics induced notable morphological alterations, it did not significantly stimulate cellular proliferation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LDPE-NP can induce substantial structural and morphological changes in cells, even in the presence of relatively modest cytotoxicity. The observed alterations may represent early indicators of cellular stress and dysfunction associated with exposure to nanoplastics. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the long-term toxicological consequences and molecular mechanisms underlying nanoplastic-induced cellular damage.