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The mechanistic nexus between microplastics and chronic liver disease: A review of current evidence
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Researchers reviewed the mechanisms by which microplastics accumulate in liver tissue and worsen chronic liver disease, finding that MPs activate cell death pathways, trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, promote fibrosis, and disrupt metabolic and microbial regulation — and can amplify damage from co-occurring hepatotoxic substances.
The progression of chronic liver disease results in severe complications. However, current treatment options remain limited. Research indicates that environmental pollutants, such as microplastics (MPs), pose a threat to the progression of chronic liver disease and represent a substantial challenge to human health. Current studies widely suggest that MPs tend to accumulate in the liver upon entering the body, potentially leading to the onset or acceleration of chronic liver disease. This article seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of MPs on chronic liver disease through various interconnected mechanisms, including cell death and autophagy, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, fibrosis, metabolic regulation, and microbial regulation. Additionally, we will briefly examine the correlation between the occurrence of chronic liver disease and microplastic exposure, as well as review the exacerbating effect of MPs on liver damage caused by other hepatotoxic substances. This study aims to serve as a reference for future research on the mechanisms of MPs in liver diseases and the development of treatment strategies for chronic liver conditions.
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