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Microplastics and gut–brain axis: a mechanistic review of metabolic and microbial pathways
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This review summarizes existing research on how tiny plastic particles called microplastics may affect the gut and brain. It looks at how these particles might change gut bacteria and affect behavior, and calls for more research using animal studies to understand the underlying causes.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are characterized by small particle size, strong adsorption capacity, and resistance to degradation. Therefore, MPs are not only widely present in nature but also pose long-term pollution risks to organisms through pathways such as the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and skin contact, and can continuously accumulate upward through the food chain. Studies have found that exposure to MPs alone or in combination with other pollutants can have adverse effects on the body, such as alterations in gut microbiota and neurobehavioral effects. The gut microbiota plays a significant role in many physiological processes and may participate in bidirectional communication with the brain through the microbiota–gut–brain axis, which is associated with the occurrence and development of many neurological and psychiatric diseases. Up to now, few studies have examined the toxic effects and underlying mechanisms of MPs on the microbiota–gut–brain axis. This review synthesizes current advances in the literature concerning microplastic toxicity and its interactions with the microbiota–gut–brain axis, with the aim of promoting further investigation into the adverse effects of MPs on gut microbial composition and neurobehavioral outcomes, elucidating the underlying mechanistic pathways, identifying potential biomarkers and preventive strategies, and informing approaches for environmental and human health protection. Future studies should prioritize environmentally relevant exposure scenarios, standardized characterization of MPs/NPs, longitudinal and mammalian studies, and mechanistic experiments that directly test causality along the microbiota–gut–brain axis.
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Microplastics and nano-plastics as emerging gut–brain axis disruptors: mechanistic insights, health implications, and future direction
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This review pulls together existing research showing that the tiny plastic bits we eat and breathe in (microplastics and nanoplastics) can disrupt the healthy bacteria in your gut, weaken your intestinal lining, and trigger inflammation, problems that don't stay put in your stomach. Once this damage occurs, plastic particles and inflammatory signals can travel through the bloodstream and even cross into the brain, potentially contributing to brain inflammation and disrupted brain chemistry. While more research is needed to confirm exact risks in humans, this matters because it suggests everyday plastic exposure could affect not just
Health risk analysis of micro-and nanoplastic exposure via the microbiota-gut-brain axis
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This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract may disrupt the microbiota-gut-brain axis through neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. The study suggests that these particles can interfere with normal gut microbiota function after entering the body through diet, inhalation, and skin contact, potentially inducing or worsening health effects.
Microplastics and the gut-brain axis: Unraveling neurotoxic mechanisms and health implications
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This review examines how microplastics interact with the gut-brain axis, a communication network linking the digestive system to the central nervous system. Researchers found that microplastics can disrupt intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and trigger systemic inflammation that may affect neurotransmitter balance and brain function. The study suggests that chronic microplastic exposure through the diet could contribute to neurological effects through inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways.
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