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Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage by Environmental Polyethylene Microplastics in Caco‐2 Cells Is Prevented by Polyphenol‐Rich Limoncella Apple Extract
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In Caco-2 cells, a lab model of the human gut lining, polyethylene microplastics raised oxidative stress and triggered changes in cell identity. A polyphenol-rich extract of Limoncella apple counteracted these effects in the cells. The work was done in culture, not in animals or people.
Our findings show that PE increases oxidative stress, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition and dedifferentiation in Caco-2 cells. Interestingly, LAPE, owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, counteracted the harmful effects of PE, suggesting its potential as a nutraceutical strategy to prevent MP-induced damage in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
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Rats received polystyrene microplastics by mouth for 56 days, with or without EGCG, an antioxidant from green tea. Microplastics raised markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in the blood. Rats that also received EGCG showed smaller changes in those markers.
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Using a laboratory model of the human intestinal lining, researchers tested how polyethylene microplastics affect intestinal cells and found they disrupted the barrier function of the gut wall. A compromised intestinal barrier allows larger molecules and particles to pass into the body, which could amplify the health effects of microplastic ingestion.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.