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The histopathological and functional consequences of microplastic exposure
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This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics cause physical damage to organs across multiple body systems, including the heart, brain, lungs, gut, and reproductive organs. The most common pattern is that microplastics trigger inflammation, which leads to scarring (fibrosis) and loss of organ function. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure could contribute to a range of health problems throughout the body.
As the production, usage, and disposal of plastics increase, the microplastics generated—plastic particles smaller than 5 mm—increases, exacerbating environmental pollution. In turn, various organisms become increasingly exposed to contaminated environments, potentially affecting humans through the food chain. Crucial findings from in vivo experiments indicate histopathological changes caused by microplastics impact the morphology and physiological function of organisms. This study describes the histopathological changes induced by microplastics across the circulatory, nervous, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems and explains associated functional alterations. Except in the nervous system, the main morphological changes involve degenerative changes throughout the body, such as apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Most changes were induced by inflammatory responses to microplastics, leading to fibrosis and subsequent functional impairments. Various studies confirm that microplastics stimulate cells, leading to increased reactive oxygen species production, inflammation, and cell death. Consequently, these morphological changes impair related systemic functions. This review highlights fundamental morphological changes in organs and cells due to microplastics and discusses the limitations involving systems showing no changes.
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Microplastic-induced multi-organ toxicity: cellular mechanisms and critical roles of organ crosstalk
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on how microplastics cause damage across multiple organ systems, including the liver, brain, lungs, kidneys, intestines, heart, and reproductive organs. Researchers emphasize the critical role of organ crosstalk, where microplastic-induced damage in one organ can trigger cascading effects in others, highlighting the systemic nature of microplastic toxicity.
Effects of micro-and-nano plastics on various organ systems in health
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This review examines the toxicological effects of micro- and nanoplastics on multiple human organ systems—including the gut, liver, lungs, cardiovascular system, and brain—summarizing mechanisms of harm such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and endocrine disruption.
Systemic histopathological responses to nanoplastic exposure: A review of cellular toxicity and organ-level pathology in mammalian systems
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This review pulls together animal studies showing that nanoplastics — tiny plastic particles smaller than 1/100th the width of a human hair — can slip past the body's natural barriers and cause real damage to organs like the brain, lungs, gut, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, triggering inflammation, cell death, and scarring. The concerning part is that these particles seem to affect multiple organs at once, with damage in one organ (like the gut) potentially worsening problems in another (like the liver). While this research is currently based on animal studies rather than humans, it suggests nanoplastics may pose broader health risks than previ
Plasticopathology: Multi-Organ Damage and One Health Implications of Micro- and Nanoplastics
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This review synthesizes findings from animal studies conducted between 2019 and 2025 on tissue damage caused by micro- and nanoplastics across multiple organ systems. Researchers found consistent patterns of tissue injury including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular degeneration in the gut, liver, kidneys, reproductive organs, and nervous system, with severity often depending on particle size, exposure route, and duration.
The possible impacts of nano and microplastics on human health: lessons from experimental models across multiple organs
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This review summarizes evidence from experimental studies on how micro- and nanoplastics may affect multiple human organs after entering the body through food, air, or skin contact. Research shows these particles can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disruption, and damage to cells in the gut, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, and reproductive organs. While more research is needed to fully understand the risks, the existing evidence suggests that reducing plastic pollution and human exposure should be an urgent priority.
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