Fig. 1 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 1

From: Polyethylene microplastics disrupt renal function, mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox homeostasis, and histoarchitecture in Wistar rats

Fig. 1

Renal glycolytic enzymatic activities in rats exposed to polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) at varying doses (15 and 60 mg/kg bw). Bar graphs represent mean ± SEM (n = 5/group) for a aldolase (ALD), b hexokinase (HK), c NADase, and d lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in renal tissue. No significant changes were observed in ALD and HK activities across groups, suggesting preserved glycolytic flux. However, NADase activity was significantly increased in the 15 mg/kg and decreased at 60 mg/kg PE-MPs group (*p < 0.05 to ***p < 0.001), indicating potential disruption of NAD⁺ metabolism and redox balance. LDH activity was significantly elevated in the 15 and 50 mg/kg PE-MPs groups (p < 0.05), potentially reflecting a shift toward anaerobic metabolism or compensatory upregulation in response to mitochondrial dysfunction. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Back to article page