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The histopathological and functional consequences of microplastic exposure
Summary
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.