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Microplastics and nanoplastics in human toxicity: ROS-mediated mechanisms, cellular damage and systemic effects
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This review pulls together existing research showing how tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) can get inside our cells and trigger a damaging cascade of "oxidative stress", essentially cellular rust that harms our DNA, mitochondria (the cell's energy factories), and other vital structures. This damage has been linked in studies to problems throughout the body, including liver and kidney injury, fertility issues, gut bacteria imbalances, hormone disruption, and increased cancer risk, meaning the plastic exposure we experience daily through food, water, and air may have far-reaching effects on our health.
Microplastics (MPs, less than 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, less than 1 μm) have become widespread environmental contaminants with significant implications for human health. Owing to their small size, large surface area, and physicochemical reactivity, MPs and NPs readily interact with biological membranes, promote cellular uptake, and accumulate within organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and the endoplasmic reticulum. ROS overproduction disrupts mitochondrial dynamics, induces DNA damage, alters lipid metabolism, and affects redox-sensitive signalling pathways, including MAPK, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, p53, and TGF-β. These molecular events collectively initiate apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and genotoxicity. At the systemic level, experimental MP and NP exposure has been associated with hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiopulmonary injury, reproductive impairment, neurotoxicity, gut microbiome dysbiosis, endocrine disruption, and elevated cancer risk. Furthermore, MPs and NPs can act as vectors of co-contaminants, increasing the bioavailability and toxicity of associated pollutants such as plasticizers and heavy metals. This review consolidates current understanding of the sources, cellular uptake, ROS-mediated mechanisms, and multi-organ toxicological effects of MPs and NPs.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics Exposure and Redox Imbalance in Human Tissues: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Health Implications
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Tiny plastic particles from our air, water, and food are showing up in human blood, lungs, and even the placenta, and this review of existing research explains how they may cause "oxidative stress," a kind of cellular damage that happens when harmful molecules overwhelm the body's natural defenses. Over time, this imbalance has been linked to inflammation and other health problems, though scientists still need more research to pin down exactly how much exposure is harmful and who's most at risk. The takeaway: microplastics aren't just an environmental issue, they may be quietly stressing our cells, making this an area worth watching as research continues.
The emerging role of microplastics in systemic toxicity: Involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS)
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This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics cause damage at every level of biological complexity -- from molecules and cells to organs and organ systems -- primarily by generating harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS trigger chain reactions including DNA damage, protein breakdown, and cell death pathways, which may contribute to inflammation and disease in exposed organisms, including humans.
Molecular Mechanisms of Cytotoxic and Carcinogenic Effects of Microplastics on In Vitro Cell Models
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This review paper pulls together lab studies showing how tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) can damage cells — by triggering harmful oxygen molecules that cause "oxidative stress," disrupting the cell's energy-making mitochondria, and even harming DNA. These findings matter because they suggest a possible way that the plastic particles we're increasingly exposed to through food, water, and air could contribute to cell damage and disease risk, though this research was done in cell cultures in a lab, not in living people, so more studies are needed to confirm real-world health effects.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Health Concerning Cellular Toxicity Mechanisms, Exposure Pathways, and Global Mitigation Strategies
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on how micro- and nanoplastics cause cellular damage in the human body, covering mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and disruption of cell signaling pathways. Researchers note that exposure occurs through multiple routes including ingestion and inhalation, allowing particles to reach organs throughout the body. The study highlights significant gaps in understanding long-term and low-dose exposure effects that are most relevant to everyday human contact with these particles.
Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects
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This review examines how microplastics cause oxidative stress, a condition where harmful molecules called free radicals damage cells. Microplastics have been linked to DNA damage, cell membrane disruption, mitochondrial problems, inflammation, and cell death, all driven by oxidative stress. These effects may contribute to serious health conditions including cancer and cardiovascular disease, though the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand the risks.
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