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Plastic compounds and liver diseases: Whether bisphenol A is the only culprit
Summary
This review looks at how plastic-derived chemicals beyond just bisphenol A (BPA) can damage the liver, particularly by contributing to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The authors find that microplastics, nanoplastics, and various bisphenol alternatives all show links to liver problems, suggesting that the full range of plastic pollutants -- not just BPA -- may pose a greater threat to liver health than previously understood.
Plastics, while providing modern conveniences, have become an inescapable source of global concern due to their role in environmental pollution. Particularly, the focus on bisphenol A (BPA) reveals its biohazardous nature and association with liver issues, specifically steatosis. However, research indicates that BPA is just one facet of the problem, as other bisphenol analogues, microplastics, nanoplastics and additional plastic derivatives also pose potential risks. Notably, BPA is implicated in every stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) onset and progression, surpassing hepatitis B virus as a primary cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. As plastic contamination tops the environmental contaminants list, urgent action is needed to assess causative factors and mitigate their impact. This review delves into the molecular disruptions linking plastic pollutant exposure to liver diseases, emphasizing the broader connection between plastics and the rising prevalence of NAFLD.
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