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The role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity
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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.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are globally recognized as emerging environmental pollutants in various environmental media, posing potential threats to ecosystems and human health. MPs/NPs are unavoidably ingested by humans, mainly through contaminated food and drinks, impairing the gastrointestinal ecology and seriously impacting the human body. The specific role of gut microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract upon MP/NP exposure remains unknown. Given the importance of gut microbiota in metabolism, immunity, and homeostasis, this review aims to enhance our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity. First, it discusses human exposure to MPs/NPs through the diet and MP/NP-induced adverse effects on the respiratory, digestive, neural, urinary, reproductive, and immune systems. Second, it elucidates the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and MPs/NPs. MPs/NPs can disrupt gut microbiota homeostasis, while the gut microbiota can degrade MPs/NPs. Third, it reveals the role of the gut microbiota in MP/NP-mediated systematic toxicity. MPs/NPs cause direct intestinal toxicity and indirect toxicity in other organs via regulating the gut-brain, gut-liver, and gut-lung axes. Finally, novel approaches such as dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, engineered bacteria, microalgae, and micro/nanorobots are recommended to reduce MP/NP toxicity in humans. Overall, this review provides a theoretical basis for targeting the gut microbiota to study MP/NP toxicity and develop novel strategies for its mitigation.
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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.
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