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Exposome on skeletal muscle system: a mini-review
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This mini-review examines how environmental exposures, including microplastics, heavy metals, and other pollutants, affect skeletal muscle biology. Evidence indicates that microplastics may delay muscle regeneration and promote fat cell formation through specific signaling pathways, suggesting that cumulative environmental exposures could have meaningful effects on muscle health across the lifespan.
Exposomics is an ever-expanding field which captures the cumulative exposures to chemical, biological, physical, lifestyle, and social factors associated with biological responses. Since skeletal muscle is currently considered as the largest secretory organ and shows substantial plasticity over the life course, this reviews addresses the topic of exposome and skeletal muscle by reviewing the state-of-the-art evidence and the most intriguing perspectives. Muscle stem cells react to stressors via phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α and tuberous sclerosis 1, and are sensible to hormetic factors via sirtuin 1. Microplastics can delay muscle regeneration via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and induce transdifferentiation to adipocytes via nuclear factor kappa B. Acrolein can inhibit myogenic differentiation and disrupt redox system. Heavy metals have been associated with reduced muscle strength in children. The deep study of pollutants and biological features can shed new light on neuromuscular pathophysiology. The analysis of a time-varying and dynamic exposome risk score from a panel of exposure and phenotypes of interest is promising. The systematization of hormetic factors and the role of the microbiota in modulating the effects of exposure on skeletal muscle responses are also promising. The comprehensive exposure assessment and its interactions with endogenous processes and the resulting biological effects deserve more efforts in the field of muscle health across the lifespan.
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Polystyrene microplastics induce skeletal muscle atrophy through disruption of anabolic signaling and mitochondrial function
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Researchers exposed muscle cells to polystyrene microplastics and found dose-dependent muscle atrophy driven by suppressed IGF-1/PI3K/Akt/mTOR anabolic signaling, elevated oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction—effects comparable to the steroid dexamethasone—suggesting microplastics may be an unrecognized environmental contributor to muscle wasting.
Polystyrene microplastics-induced ROS overproduction disrupts the skeletal muscle regeneration by converting myoblasts into adipocytes
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Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics impaired skeletal muscle repair in mice by triggering excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside muscle stem cells. This oxidative stress redirected muscle stem cells to become fat cells instead of new muscle fibers, resulting in increased fat deposits and reduced muscle fiber size. The study suggests that microplastic exposure could interfere with the body's natural ability to regenerate and maintain muscle tissue.
The Effects of Microplastics on Musculoskeletal Disorder; A Narrative Review
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This review summarizes emerging research on how microplastics affect bones and muscles. Studies have shown that microplastics can disrupt the cells responsible for bone growth and repair, and in muscles they can reduce fiber density, impair blood vessel formation, and cause tissue wasting. While research is still limited, the findings suggest microplastics could contribute to musculoskeletal problems, and the authors call for more studies using human tissues.
Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) disturb skeleto-muscular energy metabolism and tissue architecture following sub-acute exposure: A dose-responsive study
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Wistar rats given polystyrene microplastics in drinking water (0.5–50 mg/L) for 28 days showed dose-dependent disruption of skeletal muscle energy metabolism — including reduced ATP production and altered mitochondrial activity — along with histological changes in muscle tissue architecture.
Microplastics in Musculoskeletal Disorders: An Emerging Threat
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This review examines the emerging evidence that microplastics may affect the musculoskeletal system, including bones, cartilage, and muscles. Researchers found that microplastics can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption, potentially triggering oxidative stress and inflammation in musculoskeletal tissues. The study suggests that more research is needed to understand the long-term impacts of microplastic exposure on bone and joint health.
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