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Reduction of Circulating Microplastics in Humans Following Gastrointestinal Sequestration by Chitosan: A Pilot Controlled Study
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Researchers conducted a pilot controlled trial in which oral supplementation with chitosan derived from crayfish reduced circulating blood microplastic concentrations in healthy adults by 26% over 15 days compared to placebo, with the largest reductions in intermediate-sized particles (11–50 µm) and an estimated mean residence time of 58 days for particles in circulation.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that have been detected in human blood and tissues, raising concerns regarding systemic exposure and potential health effects. Internal MP burden mitigation techniques, nevertheless, are yet largely unexplored. We evaluated whether oral administration of chitosan derived from Procambarus clarkii (PCC) could reduce circulating MPs in humans via gastrointestinal sequestration in this pilot-controlled study. 11 healthy adults received PCC supplementation (0.8 g/day) for 15 days, while 10 matched controls received a placebo. Using stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR), blood MP concentrations were quantified and characterised according to size, shape, and polymer type. At baseline, MPs were found in every subject. Following PCC supplementation, mean MP concentrations decreased from 1.84 ± 0.28 µg/mL to 1.34 ± 0.20 µg/mL (−26.3%, p < 0.01, paired analysis). The control group observed no significant differences. While polymer-resolved analysis consistently indicated reductions across major polymer classes, whereas size-resolved analysis indicated preferential reductions in intermediate particle fractions (11–50 µm). The circulating MPs' estimated mean residence time (MRT) was 58 ± 28 days. These findings provide preliminary evidence that chitosan-based gastrointestinal sequestration could potentially reduce the systemic MP burden in humans.
More Papers Like This
Reduction in Circulating Microplastics in Humans Following Gastrointestinal Sequestration by Chitosan: A Pilot Controlled Study
AI summary Read the abstract
In a pilot study, 11 healthy adults took 0.8 g of chitosan daily for 15 days and 10 matched controls took a placebo. Mean microplastic concentration in blood fell from 1.84 to 1.34 micrograms per milliliter in the chitosan group, a 26% drop, with no significant change in controls. The study was small and short.
Preliminary Study on PCC-Chitosan’s Ability to Enhance Microplastic Excretion in Human Stools from Healthy Volunteers
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Ten healthy volunteers ate a standardized meal twice, a week apart, the second time after taking chitosan made from crayfish shells. Microplastic counts in stool were about 47% higher after the chitosan meal, and nine of sixteen plastic types showed the increase. The study was small, short and preliminary.
Preliminary Study on PCC-Chitosan’s Ability to Enhance Microplastic Excretion in Human Stools from Healthy Volunteers
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In a crossover pilot study, 10 healthy volunteers ate a standardized meal with and without 0.8 g of a chitosan supplement. Stool samples held more microplastic particles after the chitosan meal (965 versus 656), and stool mass rose about 5%. The authors call the results preliminary and ask for controlled studies.
Ingesting chitosan can promote excretion of microplastics
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Rats were fed polyethylene microplastics mixed with one of several indigestible food materials. In the chitosan group, fecal weight rose and more of the microplastics were recovered in feces, with less retained in the intestine, compared with controls. The study was in rats and used 200 micrometer particles.
Effect of different chitosan molecular weights on microplastic excretion
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Rats were fed a diet containing 50 micrometer microplastics along with chitosan of low, medium or high molecular weight. The medium and high weight groups had more microplastics in feces and less retained in the gastrointestinal tract than controls. Gut bacteria also shifted in the high weight group.
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