0
Article Tier 2 Gut & Microbiome Human Health Effects Nanoplastics Sign in to save

Benzo(a)pyrene and Gut Microbiome Crosstalk: Health Risk Implications

Toxics 2024 3 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how benzo(a)pyrene, a widespread environmental carcinogen, disrupts the gut microbiome and affects human health. The study highlights that the toxicity of benzo(a)pyrene may be compounded when it interacts with micro- and nanoplastics in the gut, suggesting that combined exposure to these environmental contaminants could pose greater health risks than either alone.

Body Systems

This review delves into the impact of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), which is a toxic and pervasive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and known carcinogen, on the human health risk from a gut microbiome perspective. We retrieved the relevant articles on each PAH and summarized the reporting to date, with a particular focus on benzo(a)pyrene, which has been reported to have a high risk of gut microbiome-related harm. B(a)P exposure can compromise the homeostasis of the gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis, a state of microbial imbalance. The consequences of B(a)P-induced gut dysbiosis can be far-reaching, potentially contributing to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of various diseases. Additionally, due to the strong coupling between B(a)P and microparticles, the toxicity of B(a)P may be further compounded by its reaction with strong gut disruptors such as micro-/nanoplastics, which have recently become a serious environmental concern. This review summarizes current research on the impact of B(a)P on the gut microbiome, highlighting the intricate relationship between environmental exposure, gut health, and human disease. Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop effective strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of B(a)P exposure.

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

Microplastics: An emerging environmental risk factor for gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer development?

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how microplastics may disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system in ways that could promote cancer development. Evidence from recent studies suggests microplastics can cause chronic inflammation, alter the balance of gut bacteria, and trigger molecular pathways linked to several cancer types including lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer. While more human research is needed, the review highlights a concerning connection between microplastic exposure, gut health, and cancer risk.

Article Tier 2

Health risk analysis of micro-and nanoplastic exposure via the microbiota-gut-brain axis

AI summary Read the abstract

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract may disrupt the microbiota-gut-brain axis through neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. The study suggests that these particles can interfere with normal gut microbiota function after entering the body through diet, inhalation, and skin contact, potentially inducing or worsening health effects.

Article Tier 2

Uncovering the nexus of human health hazards of nanoplastics, gut-dysbiosis and antibiotic-resistance

AI summary Read the abstract

This review provides the first comprehensive synthesis specifically linking nanoplastic exposure to gut dysbiosis and antibiotic resistance gene propagation, finding that nanoplastics suppress beneficial microbes while fostering pathogens and creating conditions that promote horizontal transfer of resistance genes.

Article Tier 2

Interaction between microplastics and microorganism as well as gut microbiota: A consideration on environmental animal and human health

AI summary Read the abstract

This review explores how microplastics interact with microorganisms in the environment and within the gut, examining implications for both animal and human health. Researchers found that microplastics can alter gut microbiota composition, promote the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and amplify the toxicity of other environmental pollutants. The study suggests that the interaction between microplastics and gut microorganisms is an important emerging area for understanding health risks.

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