Continuous oral exposure to micro- and nanoplastics induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier and immune dysfunction in adult mice

Micro/nanoplastics in the environment can be ingested by organisms and spread throughout the food chain, ultimately posing a threat to human health. However, the risk of continuous oral exposure in mammals remains unresolved. In this study, we utilized a continuous gavage mouse model to investigate the potential intestinal risks associated with oral exposure to polystyrene micro/nanoplastics (PS-MNPs) with environmentally relevant concentrations. The effects of PS-MNPs with different particle sizes on the gut microbiota, intestinal barrier, and intestinal immune function were evaluated. PS-MNPs can accumulate in the intestine after oral exposure and alter the composition of the gut microbiota. Exposure to PS-MNPs significantly reduced the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes as well as the number of potentially beneficial bacteria in the gut, while the number of potentially harmful bacteria significantly increased. The short-chain fatty acids metabolized by gut microbiota were significantly changed by PS-MNPs. Exposure to PS-MNPs disrupts the function of the intestinal barrier and leads to inflammation in the intestines. The levels of secretory immunoglobulin A in the intestine and the differentiation of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes were significantly decreased by PS-MNPs. Moreover, the impact of PS-MNPs on mammalian intestinal health is influenced by the exposure duration and particle size, rather than the concentration. It also suggests that nanoplastics may pose more severe environmental risks.