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Microplastic exposure and its consequences for renal and urinary health: systematic review of in vivo studies
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This systematic review examines animal studies on how microplastic exposure affects the kidneys and urinary system. The evidence suggests that microplastics can accumulate in kidney tissue and may cause inflammation and oxidative stress, raising concerns about potential long-term effects on human kidney health as our exposure to these particles continues to grow.
Microplastics (MPs) in the ecosystem have reached an alarming concern as they accumulate in various organs of living organisms, including the kidneys and urinary system. This systematic review aimed to explore the potential harmful effects of microplastics on renal and urinary organs. This study was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the SYRCLE tool was used to assess the risk of bias. This review included 77 studies that were published from 2017 to 2024 from various databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Taylor & Francis, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Library, and ProQuest with PECOS inclusion criteria: (1) Population: Animal; (2) Exposure: All types of exposure to microplastics and/or nanoplastics; (3) Comparison: placebo/control; (4) Outcome: Nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, deposition, and abnormal structure; and (5) Study design: in vivo experimental study. Studies have revealed that microplastics indeed contribute to renal toxicity in the form of deposition within organs; changes in the morphology of renal cells, tissues, and organs; alterations in renal function; and shifts in biomarkers related to injury, inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolism, genetic regulation, and immunity associated with renal health risks.
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Micro/nano plastics in the urinary system: Pathways, mechanisms, and health risks.
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This review synthesizes emerging evidence on how micro- and nano-plastics reach the urinary system, accumulate in kidney and bladder tissue, and cause damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of cellular function. The authors conclude that the urinary system is a primary site of microplastic accumulation and call for more research on long-term health impacts.
Review of microplastics fate in humans with a focus on the urinary system
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This review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic fate in the human body, with a particular focus on the urinary system as an excretion pathway. Evidence suggests microplastics can reach the kidneys and urinary tract, raising questions about chronic exposure effects on urinary function.
Microplastics and Kidneys: An Update on the Evidence for Deposition of Plastic Microparticles in Human Organs, Tissues and Fluids and Renal Toxicity Concern
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This review summarizes the growing evidence that microplastics are found throughout the human body, including in the placenta, lungs, liver, heart, blood, and breast milk. While direct evidence for kidney damage in humans is still lacking, animal studies show that microplastics can cause kidney inflammation, cell death, and oxidative stress. The findings highlight that microplastics are accumulating in virtually every human organ, though the long-term health consequences remain unclear.
Review of microplastics fate in humans with a focus on the urinary system
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This review examined the evidence for microplastic accumulation and effects in the human urinary system, compiling studies on renal and bladder tissue detection. The authors identified the urinary tract as a poorly studied route for microplastic excretion and a potential site of chronic low-level injury.
Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollution and Renal Health: Human Evidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Implications
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Tiny plastic particles have been found in human blood, urine, and even kidney tissue, and lab studies show they can stress kidney cells and potentially contribute to inflammation and scarring. This review pulls together what scientists currently know, but it's clear we still don't have solid proof that microplastics actually cause kidney disease in people, more research is needed, especially for those already dealing with kidney problems or dialysis, before we can say how worried to be.
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