We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microbial risks associated with microplastics in the food chain and possible control measures (literature review). Part 1. Dietary intake and influence on the gut microbiota
Summary
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics commonly found in food and drinking water can disrupt the human gut microbiome when ingested. Studies show that microplastics alter the composition and function of intestinal bacteria, potentially affecting digestion, immunity, and overall health. Since a healthy gut microbiome is essential for human wellbeing, this pathway of harm deserves attention alongside other known risks of microplastic exposure.
Environmental contamination by polymer wastes and microplastics (MPs) has recently become important for health care, due to the emergence of a lot of evidence that MPs affect the health of living organisms, including humans. MPs commonly presented in drinking water and various groups of food products, and are found in human stool, colon tissue, and blood samples. When MPs are orally ingested, the first object for their interaction with the organism is the gastrointestinal microbiota. Considering the essential importance of the intestinal microbiota for human health, the study of the negative consequences of such contact becomes very important. The results of “in vitro” and “in vivo” experimental studies summarized in the review indicate MPs to have negative effects on the microbial community composition and of the intestinal barrier state, and are themselves subject to microbial degradation in the gastrointestinal tract. “In vivo” studies, the entry of MPs into the intestine is accompanied by an increase in α-diversity of the microbiota, presumably due to foreign microorganisms attached to the particles, including those in as part of biofilms formed on their surfaces. Competing with representatives of normal intestinal flora, these microorganisms are able to enzymatically degrade or overcome the mucosal barrier. Simultaneously the biofilm matrix associate with intestinal mucus and provides MPs particles with retention in the mucin layer and direct contact with the apical part of epitheliocytes. This leads to irritation, local inflammation, and damage to the intestinal barrier. MPs and their biotransformation products can also systemically affect the host organism, translocating from the intestine into the bloodstream. The review emphasizes that to identify and characterize the health risks associated with the intake of various MPs from food, studies assessing their interaction with the microbiota and biotransformation pathways in the intestine are necessary.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics and their interactions with microbiota
This review examines how microplastics interact with microbiota (the communities of microorganisms in the environment and in living bodies). Microplastics can carry harmful bacteria and disrupt the natural balance of microbial communities in soil, water, and the human gut. The disruption of gut microbiota by microplastics is particularly concerning because a healthy gut microbiome is essential for immune function, digestion, and overall health.
Gut microbiome remodeling induced by microplastic exposure in humans
This review synthesizes evidence on how microplastic exposure affects the human gut microbiome, drawing on cross-sectional studies of people exposed through plastic food containers and other sources. Evidence indicates that microplastic exposure is associated with shifts in gut bacteria composition, including increases in certain bacterial groups linked to inflammation. The authors explore potential connections between microplastic-induced changes in gut bacteria and the development of various health conditions.
Micro(nano)plastics and Their Potential Impact on Human Gut Health: A Narrative Review
This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the gut, finding that they can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria in both cell studies and animal models. Since humans are primarily exposed to microplastics through food and food packaging, understanding these gut effects is essential for assessing the true health risks of plastic pollution.
Review: interactions between microplastics and the gastrointestinal microbiome
This review summarizes existing research on how microplastics interact with the gut microbiome in humans, mice, chickens, and aquatic animals. Evidence suggests that gut bacteria can break microplastics into smaller pieces, which may make them more likely to cross the intestinal wall and enter the body. The disruption of the gut microbiome by microplastics is particularly concerning because balanced gut bacteria are essential for immune function, digestion, and overall health.
Microplastics and human health: unveiling the gut microbiome disruption and chronic disease risks
This review summarizes evidence that microplastics disrupt the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria in our digestive system that plays a key role in immunity, metabolism, and overall health. By altering gut bacteria balance and triggering inflammation, microplastic exposure may contribute to chronic conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, and potentially even neurological problems through the gut-brain connection.