Page 108 - ebook

[A. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology] A-54

Blue mussel proteins rescue polystyrene nanoparticles-

induced cellular toxicity in human dermal fibroblasts through

upregulation of the Nrf2-cytoprotective pathway

Yun-Sik Choi¹, Eun Hye Goh², Yunok Oh³*

¹Convergence Research Center for Smart Healthcare, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Korea, ²Department of

Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Korea, ³Convergence Research

Center for SmartHealthcare, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Korea

With the increased use of plastics, the potential toxicological effects of micro- and nano-plastic on human health
have become a global concern. Health and beauty products containing microbeads for dermal applications could

lead to dermal exposure. But, there is little research that has specifically looked at the toxicity of nano-plastics (NPs)
to skin penetration. We first investigated the cellular toxicity and skin penetration of polystyrene nano-plastics using

Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFs). Next, we evaluated cytoprotective effects against NPs toxicity in HDFs using
novel antioxidants extracted from blue mussel proteins (BMP). Blue mussel proteins are a good source of bioactive

peptides. In this study, BMP showed excellent antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner, assessed by DPPH
assay. Cytoprotective effects decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and down-regulation of caspase-3
activity. These results suggest that NPs induced cytotoxicity on HDFs by cellular uptake, and BMP treatment

attenuated cytotoxicity of NPs via antioxidant defense mechanism. Therefore, BMP could be considered for use as

an antioxidant functional health food against NPs-induced toxicity.