The Neurotoxicity Effect and Molecular Mechanism of Fine Particulate Expose-Induced Nervous System Injury

Abstract

The potential harm of atmospheric fine particulate matter to human health has been widely concerned around the world. A growing number of studies have shown that PMs exposure can cause damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems. However, whether PMs can enter the brain and produce neurotoxicity has been an important research topic in the field of neurotoxicity and public health hazards in recent years. In this paper, we review the existing epidemiological evidence and related experimental results to discuss the potential pathways and mechanisms of neurotoxicological effects of PMs on brain. It has been reported that atmospheric PMs can affect the nervous system through the olfactory nerve pathway, blood circulation and other pathways, causing oxidative stress, glial cell activation, neuroinflammation, synaptic plasticity changes and organelle damage and other neurotoxicity. On this basis, it is pointed out that future research in this field should be carried out by multidisciplinary experts in atmospheric chemistry, toxicology and epidemiology.