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Micro-nanoplastic induced cardiovascular disease and dysfunction: a scoping review
Summary
Researchers reviewed evidence from animal and human studies on how micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) affect the heart and blood vessels, finding that MNPs can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, promote plaque buildup, and interfere with blood clotting — all of which raise the risk of heart disease. The review calls for more research to understand how much MNP accumulation occurs in the human cardiovascular system and what it means for long-term cardiac health.
The findings of this review, when evaluated together with additional studies utilising animal models, suggest MNPs may contribute to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In particular, the ability of MNPs to induce endothelial damage, oxy-LDL formation, foam cell development and apoptosis, as well as to alter the clotting cascade, has potential implications for vascular diseases. In addition, MNPs may play a role in the aetiology and progression of congenital heart abnormalities, infective pathologies and cardiomyopathies. Despite an increasing awareness of the ability for MNPs to result in cardiovascular disease and dysfunction, a limited amount of research has been conducted to date characterising the presence of MNPs in the human cardiovascular system. Reseach is required to understand the extent of this rapidly emerging issue and to develop strategies that will support clinicians to appropriately manage and educate their patients in the future.