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Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Induced by Microplastics: An Endpoint in the Liver–Eye Axis
Summary
This review explores the connection between microplastic exposure and liver disease through the lens of the liver-eye axis, a physiological link between ocular and hepatic health. Researchers discuss how microplastics can enter the body through the eyes and respiratory tract, accumulate in the liver, and potentially contribute to chronic liver conditions through oxidative damage. The study highlights the need for further research into whether microplastic buildup in the liver is a cause or consequence of liver disease.
There is a significant, rather than just anecdotal, connection between the liver and the eyes. This connection is evident in noticeable cases such as jaundice, where the sclera has a yellow tint. But this can be seen through even more subtle indicators, such as molecules known as hepatokines. This relationship is not merely anecdotal; in some studies, it is referred to as the "liver-eye axis". Ubiquitous environmental contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs), can enter the bloodstream and human body through the conjunctival sac, nasolacrimal duct, and upper respiratory tract mucosa. Once absorbed, these substances can accumulate in various organs and cause harm. Toxic substances from the surface of the eye can lead to local oxidative damage by inducing apoptosis in corneal and conjunctival cells, and irregularly shaped microparticles can exacerbate this effect. Even other toxicants from the ocular surface may be absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. Environmental toxicology presents a challenge because many pollutants can enter the body through the same ocular route as that used by certain medications. Previous research has indicated that the accumulation of MPs may play a major role in the development of chronic liver disease in humans. It is crucial to investigate whether the buildup of MPs in the liver is a potential cause of fibrosis, or simply a consequence of conditions such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
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