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Microplastic-induced NAFLD: Hepatoprotective effects of nanosized selenium
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In mice, polystyrene microplastics caused fat accumulation and degeneration in the liver, a pattern resembling nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Mice also given selenium nanoparticles made by a yak-derived Bacillus cereus strain had much less of this damage. Microplastics suppressed the Ppar-alpha and Nrf2 pathways, and the nanoparticles activated them.
Polystyrene microplastics (MPs) are persistent environmental pollutants commonly encountered in daily human life. Numerous studies have demonstrated their ability to induce liver damage, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and lipid accumulation. However, limited information exists regarding preventive measures against this issue. In our study, we investigated the potential preventive role of selenium nanoparticles (YC-3-SeNPs) derived from Yak-derived Bacillus cereus, a novel nanobiomaterial known for its antioxidant properties and lipid metabolism regulation. Using transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we identified key genes and metabolites associated with oxidative stress and lipid metabolism imbalance induced by MPs. Upregulated genes (Scd1, Fasn, Irs2, and Lpin) and elevated levels of arachidonic and palmitic acid accumulation were observed in MP-exposed mice, but not in those exposed to SeNPs. Further experiments confirmed that SeNPs significantly attenuated liver lipid accumulation and degeneration caused by MPs. Histological results and pathway screening validated our findings, revealing that MPs suppressed the Pparα pathway and Nrf2 pathway, whereas SeNPs activated both pathways. These findings suggest that MPs may contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while SeNPs hold promise as a future nanobio-product for its prevention.
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Researchers found that nano-selenium particles could reduce liver inflammation caused by polystyrene microplastics in mice by regulating mitochondrial dynamics and modulating the NF-kB/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. The study suggests that selenium nanoparticles may help counteract the inflammatory damage that microplastics cause in liver tissue, offering a potential avenue for mitigating microplastic-related organ injury.
Inulin-modified nano selenium biocomposite with dual-targeting capability mitigates polystyrene nanoplastic-induced hepatic ferroptosis
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Tiny plastic particles that we're increasingly exposed to (called nanoplastics) can damage the liver by triggering a harmful type of cell death, partly by throwing off the balance of gut bacteria. In this mouse study, researchers found that a specially modified selenium supplement helped protect the liver from this damage, both by boosting the body's natural antioxidant defenses and by restoring healthy gut bacteria function. While this is early-stage animal research, it points to a promising future strategy for protecting ourselves from the health effects of plastic pollution that's now nearly impossible to avoid.
Exposure to submicroplastics promotes the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in ApoE-deficient mice
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Researchers found that exposing mice to submicron-sized polystyrene plastics in their drinking water for 12 weeks accelerated the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The tiny plastic particles accumulated in the liver, worsened fat buildup, increased inflammation, and disrupted cholesterol metabolism. This study suggests that people who already have risk factors for liver disease may be especially vulnerable to health effects from microplastic exposure.
Nano-selenium ameliorates microplastics-induced injury: Histology, antioxidant capacity, immunity and intestinal microbiota of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
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Researchers tested whether nano-selenium supplements could protect grass carp from damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. They found that nano-selenium reduced the tissue damage, oxidative stress, and immune suppression caused by microplastic exposure, and helped restore healthy gut bacteria. The study suggests that dietary nano-selenium may be a practical strategy for protecting farmed fish from the harmful effects of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
Microplastics and nanoplastics: Emerging drivers of hepatic pathogenesis and metabolic dysfunction
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This review examines emerging evidence linking micro- and nanoplastic exposure to liver disease, including metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Researchers found that these particles may contribute to liver damage through oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of metabolic pathways. The study highlights the need for further research into how environmental plastic contamination may be influencing the rising rates of liver disease worldwide.
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