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Influence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic on selected active substances in the intramural neurons of the porcine duodenum
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Scientists fed pigs PET microplastics (the type found in plastic bottles) for 28 days and found changes in the nerve cells of their small intestine, which is one of the first organs exposed to ingested microplastics. Higher doses caused shifts in important nerve signaling chemicals that help control digestion, pain, and gut function. Because pig digestive systems are similar to humans, these results suggest that swallowing microplastics may affect how our gut nerves work.
BACKGROUND: Currently, society and industry generate huge amounts of plastics worldwide. The ubiquity of microplastics is obvious, but its impact on the animal and human organism remains not fully understood. The digestive tract is one of the first barriers between pathogens and xenobiotics and a living organism. Its proper functioning is extremely important in order to maintain homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of microplastic on enteric nervous system and histological structure of swine duodenum. The experiment was carried out on 15 sexually immature gilts, approximately 8 weeks old. The animals were randomly divided into 3 study groups (n = 5/group). The control group received empty gelatin capsules once a day for 28 days, the first research group received daily gelatin capsules with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles as a mixture of particles of various sizes (maximum particle size 300 µm) at a dose of 0.1 g/animal/day. The second study group received a dose ten times higher-1 g/animal/day. RESULTS: A dose of 1 g/day/animal causes more changes in the enteric nervous system and in the histological structure of duodenum. Statistically significant differences in the expression of cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript, galanin, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, substance P, vesicular acetylcholine transporter and vasoactive intestinal peptide between control and high dose group was noted. The histopathological changes were more frequently observed in the pigs receiving higher dose of PET. CONCLUSION: Based on this study it may be assumed, that oral intake of microplastic might have potential negative influence on digestive tract, but it is dose-dependent.
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Oral Exposure to Microplastics Affects the Neurochemical Plasticity of Reactive Neurons in the Porcine Jejunum
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In a pig study, feeding PET microplastics (the type found in food packaging) for 28 days caused gut damage and changed the behavior of nerve cells in the intestine. Higher doses led to more inflammation, tissue injury, and shifts in key brain chemicals produced by gut neurons. These findings suggest that swallowing microplastics from food and drinks could harm the gut's nervous system, though more research is needed to confirm the effects in humans.
Microplastic and the Enteric Nervous System: Effect of PET Microparticles on Selected Neurotransmitters and Cytokines in the Porcine Ileum
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Gilts exposed to PET microplastics at 0.1 or 1 g/day for 28 days showed dose-dependent changes in ileum cytokine levels, neurotransmitter-expressing neuron populations, and tissue morphology, indicating that microplastics can disrupt the enteric nervous system and intestinal immune responses.
Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect gut microbiota distribution and intestinal damage in mice
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Mice exposed to PET microplastics, the type commonly found in plastic bottles, developed intestinal inflammation, changes in gut bacteria, and signs of a weakened gut barrier. Even at relatively low doses, the microplastics increased liver stress markers and disrupted the protective mucus layer in the colon, suggesting that everyday PET plastic exposure could contribute to digestive health problems.
Potential Links Between Micro- and Nanoplastic Exposure, Enteric Neuropathy, and Gastrointestinal Dysmotility
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This review summarizes existing research on how swallowed micro- and nanoplastics may affect the gut. In studies, mostly mice, the particles damaged the intestinal lining, altered gut bacteria, and disrupted nerve signaling controlling gut muscles, which was linked to slowed gut movement and constipation in mice.
Enterohepatic Circulationof Polystyrene NanoplasticsPromotes Intestinal Inflammation by Impairing Enteric Neurons
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Scientists discovered that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) we swallow don't just pass through our gut once — they get absorbed into the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and then recycled back into the intestines through bile, allowing them to build up over time in mice. This repeated exposure damaged the gut lining, disrupted healthy gut bacteria, and harmed the nerves that control intestinal function, leading to inflammation. While this study was done in mice, it suggests that everyday plastic exposure could cause more lasting gut damage than previously thought, since our bodies may be unknowingly recirculating these partic
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