Inulin improved endometrial ciliary damage caused by DEHP and nanoplastics co-exposure

The pervasive contamination by Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and nanoplastics (NPs) poses a significant threat to reproductive health, yet the combined effects of these pollutants on endometrial receptivity remain poorly understood. Our study investigates the impact of chronic DEHP and NPs co-exposure on endometrial ciliary function in mice and explores the potential protective role of dietary inulin. Utilizing a multifaceted approach—including transcriptomic analysis, immunohistochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence—we reveal that DEHP and NPs synergistically impair endometrial cilia, crucial for embryo implantation. Remarkably, inulin supplementation restores ciliary structure and function, mitigating the detrimental effects of these pollutants. Our findings suggest that dietary interventions could offer a practical strategy to counteract the reproductive toxicity of environmental contaminants, providing new insights into maintaining reproductive health in polluted environments. This research underscores the urgency of addressing environmental pollutants and highlights the potential of inulin as a protective agent against reproductive toxicity.