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Effects of Plastics on Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Arthritis - Implication for Sport and Recreation: A Review
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This study examined how plastic exposure may influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and arthritis by promoting chronic inflammation in the gut and joints. Evidence suggested that microplastics and plastic chemical additives (BPA, phthalates) can trigger and exacerbate autoimmune inflammatory responses, with relevance for people engaged in sport and recreation.
Background: Arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are autoimmune disorders marked by chronic inflammation. Arthritis affects the synovial membrane of joints, while IBD inflames the digestive system's walls. In this study, the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) group mainly includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, while the arthritis analysed includes rheumatoid arthritis and the joint manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Recent publications highlights the adverse effects of micro and nanoplastics on health, suggesting they may exacerbate these autoimmune disorders. Studies show that plastic accumulation can contribute to gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal diseases.Purpose: This review aims to summarize current knowledge on how microplastics influence the development of autoimmune disorders in the gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems, based on scientific literature, and examine their impact on sports and recreation health.Methods and Materials: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases with relevant keywords. An analysis of the collected data was performed.Conclusion: Ingesting micro- and nanoplastic particles disrupts immune homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract and joints. It alters gut microbiota and metabolism, exacerbates arthritis by affecting synovial membrane cell proliferation and migration, among other effects. High plastic exposure may promote autoimmune diseases, potentially restricting individuals from professional and recreational physical activities, worsening health problems, promoting other diseases, and leading to premature death.
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Effects of microplastics in aquatic environments on inflammatory bowel disease
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Researchers reviewed current evidence on how microplastics found in aquatic environments may contribute to the occurrence and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study's analysis of in vitro and in vivo research suggests that prolonged exposure to microplastics through contaminated aquatic foods and drinking water may pose risks to intestinal health, though the relationship between microplastic exposure and IBD requires further investigation.
Micro- and nano-plastics, intestinal inflammation, and inflammatory bowel disease: A review of the literature
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This review summarizes the growing evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Studies show these tiny plastic particles can trigger immune responses in the gut, alter the gut microbiome, and worsen intestinal inflammation, though more research using standardized methods is needed to confirm these effects in humans.
Micro- and Nanoplastics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: from Experimental Models to Human Evidence
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This review summarizes existing animal, human, and lab research on tiny plastic particles and inflammatory bowel disease. In healthy animals, plastic exposure alone caused mild or inconsistent gut changes, but in animals with chemically induced colitis, it worsened gut damage and inflammation. Human studies found higher plastic levels in feces of IBD patients, but evidence remains limited.
The Joint-gut Axis: Systemic Translocation of Ingested Plastics to Joint Spaces
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This review paper connects the dots on how tiny plastic particles from our food and water might travel from your gut all the way to your joints, potentially fueling inflammation and cartilage damage linked to conditions like arthritis. The proposed chain reaction: plastics irritate your gut lining, sneak into your bloodstream, and get carried by immune cells straight into joint tissue, where they trigger swelling and wear down cartilage over time. While this is a summary of existing science rather than new lab data, it highlights a concerning potential link between everyday plastic exposure and joint health that deserves more research attention.
Analysis of Microplastics in Human Feces Reveals a Correlation between Fecal Microplastics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Status
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Researchers analyzed microplastics in the stool of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and healthy volunteers, finding that IBD patients had significantly higher concentrations of microplastics in their feces. PET plastic and polyamide were the most common types found, likely originating from food packaging and dust. The positive correlation between microplastic levels and IBD severity suggests that microplastic exposure may be linked to gut inflammation, though it is not yet clear whether the plastics contribute to the disease or the disease causes more plastic retention.
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