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Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage by Environmental Polyethylene Microplastics in Caco‐2 Cells Is Prevented by Polyphenol‐Rich Limoncella Apple Extract
Summary
Lab experiments on human gut cells (Caco-2) found that polyethylene microplastics increase oxidative stress and trigger cellular changes associated with disease progression, but that an extract from Limoncella apples rich in polyphenols could counteract these harmful effects. This raises the possibility that dietary antioxidants could offer a protective strategy against microplastic-induced damage in the human digestive system.
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.