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Long‐Chain Acyl Carnitines Aggravate Polystyrene Nanoplastics‐Induced Atherosclerosis by Upregulating MARCO (Adv. Sci. 19/2023)
Summary
This is a graphical abstract or cover-image entry for a research article (published in Advanced Science) that found long-chain acyl carnitines — naturally occurring metabolic molecules — make polystyrene nanoplastic-induced atherosclerosis significantly worse by activating a specific receptor (MARCO) on immune cells. The finding suggests that microplastic exposure interacts with the body's own metabolism to amplify cardiovascular disease risk.
Microplastics and Nanoplastics Qin Qiong is revered as a venerable guardian deity in ancient Chinese mythology. Similarly, macrophages serve as its protectors within the cardiovascular system. In article number 2205876, Yizhou Zhong, Zhenlie Huang, and co‐workers unveil that when the cardiovascular system is exposed to micro‐ and nanoplastics (MNPs), macrophages face not only the direct assault from the MNPs but also simultaneous aggression from long‐chain acylcarnitines, a kind of endogenous chemical compound. These findings have the potential to aid in managing the escalating health risks imposed on humanity by increasing MNP exposure. [Image: see text]
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