We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Long-Term Exposure to Environmentally Relevant Doses of Large Polystyrene Microplastics Disturbs Lipid Homeostasis via Bowel Function Interference
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers exposed mice to environmentally relevant doses of large polystyrene microplastics in their diet for 21 weeks and found significant disruptions to fat metabolism and gut bacterial communities. The microplastics interfered with bowel function, which in turn altered how the body processes and stores lipids. The study provides evidence that even low-level, long-term microplastic exposure through food may affect metabolic health in mammals.
The question of whether long-term chronic exposure to microplastics (MPs) could induce dose- and size-dependent adverse effects in mammals remains controversial and poorly understood. Our study explored potential health risks from dietary exposure to environmentally relevant doses of polystyrene (PS) MPs, through a mouse model and integrated analyses of the interruptions of fecal microbial metagenomes and plasma lipidomes. After 21 weeks of exposure to the MPs (40–100 μm), mice mainly exhibited gut microbiota dysbiosis, tissue inflammation, and plasma lipid metabolism disorder, although no notable accumulation of MPs was observed in the gut or liver. The change of the relative abundance of microbiota was strongly associated with the exposure dose and size of MPs while less significant effects were observed in gut damage and abnormal lipid metabolism. Moreover, multiomics data suggested that the host abnormal lipid metabolism was closely related to bowel function disruptions, including gut microbiota dysbiosis, increased gut permeability, and inflammation induced by MPs. We revealed for the first time that even without notable accumulation in mouse tissues, long-term exposure to MPs at environmentally relevant doses could still induce widespread health risks. This raises concern on the health risks from the exposure of humans and other mammals to environmentally relevant dose MPs.
More Papers Like This
Polystyrene microplastics induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed mice two sizes of polystyrene microplastics for five weeks and observed significant disruption of gut bacteria and changes in liver fat metabolism. The microplastics decreased mucus production in the gut and shifted the balance of key bacterial populations at multiple taxonomic levels. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can trigger gut microbiota imbalance in mammals, which may in turn affect metabolic health.
Oral exposure to high concentrations of polystyrene microplastics alters the intestinal environment and metabolic outcomes in mice
AI summary Read the abstract
In a mouse study, oral exposure to high concentrations of polystyrene microplastics caused fatty liver disease and abnormal blood lipid levels even without prior gut leakiness. The microplastics triggered intestinal inflammation through immune cells, disrupted gut bacteria, and altered how the body processes nutrients. These results suggest that swallowing microplastics could contribute to metabolic problems and liver disease in humans.
Long-Term Exposure to Polystyrene Microspheres and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice: Evaluating a Role for Microbiota Dysbiosis.
AI summary Read the abstract
A long-term mouse study examined how chronic exposure to polystyrene microspheres interacts with a high-fat diet to affect obesity-related outcomes, finding that microplastics worsened metabolic disruption and fat accumulation compared to diet alone. The results raise concern that microplastic exposure may be an environmental factor contributing to the global obesity epidemic.
UnravelingPersistent Health Impacts in Mice FollowingCessation of Microplastic Exposure: Insights beyond the Surface
AI summary Read the abstract
Mice were fed polystyrene microplastics (40-100 µm) at environmentally relevant or 10x doses for 21 weeks, then monitored for four weeks after exposure ceased. Despite stopping exposure, lipid metabolism disruption and gut microbiota dysbiosis persisted at high doses, indicating that microplastic-induced health impacts may not fully reverse after cessation.
Proinflammatory properties and lipid disturbance of polystyrene microplastics in the livers of mice with acute colitis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene microplastics on the livers of mice fed a high-fat diet and found that the particles triggered significant inflammatory responses and disrupted lipid metabolism. The microplastics worsened fat accumulation in the liver and activated inflammatory signaling pathways. The findings suggest that microplastic exposure combined with a high-fat diet may amplify liver damage and metabolic disturbances.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.