Evaluation of the Impact of Polystyrene Leachates from Food Containers on Serum Lipid Profile in Normal Albino Rats

<p><span>This study evaluates the impact of polystyrene leachates, administered in the form of polystyrene flour blended into standard rat chow, on the serum lipid profile of normal albino rats, with a specific focus on brain lipid composition. Experimental animals were divided into two groups: Group I (control) received standard rat chow, while Group II was fed chow formulated with polystyrene flour. Lipid analysis revealed that Group II exhibited elevated levels of total cholesterol (TC: 3.01 ± 1.79 µg/mg protein), triglycerides (TG: 1.32 ± 1.88 µg/mg protein), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL: 1.91 ± 0.25 nM/mg protein), alongside a slight reduction in high-density lipoprotein (HDL: 1.30 ± 1.09 mol/mol) compared to the control group (TC: 2.58 ± 0.51, TG: 1.00 ± 2.51, LDL: 1.25 ± 5.21, HDL: 1.39 ± 2.11). These alterations suggest that dietary intake of polystyrene may disrupt lipid metabolism, possibly compromising neuroprotective mechanisms and contributing to lipid imbalances linked to neurodegenerative conditions. The findings underscore the need for further investigation into the long-term effects of dietary contaminants on brain lipid homeostasis and support the development of dietary regulations that limit exposure to synthetic food packaging-derived compounds</span></p>