0
Systematic Review Tier 1 Gut & Microbiome Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Sign in to save

The ant that may well destroy a whole dam: a systematic review of the health implication of nanoplastics/microplastics through gut microbiota

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 2025 2 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This systematic review summarizes existing research on how nanoplastics and microplastics disrupt gut bacteria in various organisms. The findings show that plastic particle exposure consistently alters gut microbiome composition, which in turn affects the host's immune function, metabolism, and overall health. These gut bacteria changes may be a key pathway through which microplastics harm human health.

Study Type Review

Since the widespread usage of plastic materials and inadequate handling of plastic debris, nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) have become global hazards. Recent studies prove that NPs/MPs can induce various toxicities in organisms, with these adverse effects closely related to gut microbiota changes. This review thoroughly summarized the interactions between NPs/MPs and gut microbiota in various hosts, speculated on the potential factors affecting these interactions, and outlined the impacts on hosts' health caused by NPs/MPs exposure and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Firstly, different characteristics and conditions of NPs/MPs often led to complicated hazardous effects on gut microbiota. Alterations of gut microbiota composition at the phylum level were complex, while changes at the genus level exhibited a pattern of increased pathogens and decreased probiotics. Generally, the smaller size, the rougher surface, the longer shape, the higher concentration, and the longer exposure of NPs/MPs induced more severe damage to gut microbiota. Then, different adaptation and tolerance degrees of gut microbiota to NPs/MPs exposure might contribute to gut microbiota dysbiosis. Furthermore, NPs/MPs could be carriers of other hazards to generally exert more severe damage on gut microbiota. In summary, both pristine and contaminated NPs/MPs posed severe threats to hosts through inducing gut microbiota dysbiosis.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

The role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity

AI summary Read the abstract

This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics disrupt gut bacteria and why that matters for overall health. The tiny plastic particles change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, which can trigger inflammation, weaken the intestinal barrier, and potentially contribute to diseases beyond the gut through the immune and nervous systems.

Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics and Their Potential Impact on Human Gut Health: A Narrative Review

AI summary Read the abstract

This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the gut, finding that they can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria in both cell studies and animal models. Since humans are primarily exposed to microplastics through food and food packaging, understanding these gut effects is essential for assessing the true health risks of plastic pollution.

Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics and their potential impact on human gut health: a narrative review

AI summary Read the abstract

This narrative review synthesizes evidence on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut, discussing ingestion routes, gut barrier interactions, microbiome disruption, and potential systemic health effects.

Systematic Review Tier 1

Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.

AI summary Read the abstract

This systematic review provides the first comprehensive look at how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut using laboratory models. The findings help explain how these tiny particles may damage the digestive tract lining and trigger inflammation, which is important for understanding the health risks of swallowing microplastics in food and water.

Article Tier 2

Perturbation of gut microbiota plays an important role in micro/nanoplastics-induced gut barrier dysfunction

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers investigated how micro- and nanoplastics disrupt gut barrier function in mice, finding that different surface chemistries caused varying levels of damage. The study suggests that these plastic particles harm the gut by altering the gut microbiome, which then leads to inflammation and weakening of the intestinal barrier that normally keeps harmful substances out of the body.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper