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Oligomer-Nanoparticle Release from PLA Bioplastics Catalyzed by Gut Enzymes and Its Acute Inflammatory Effect
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Researchers found that gut lipase enzymes catalyze rapid hydrolysis of polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic microplastics, generating an excess of oligomeric nanoplastic particles that form via hydrophobic self-aggregation and bioaccumulate in liver, intestine, and brain tissues in vitro and in vivo, triggering acute inflammatory responses.
Abstract Although the risks of microplastics in environmental exposure and human health are being increasingly studied, little is known about the behavior of “eco-friendly” bioplastics in humans, especially their effects on our gastrointestinal tract. Here we demonstrate that enzymatic hydrolysis of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics rapidly generates an excess of nanoplastic particles by competing for triglyceride-degrading lipase during gastrointestinal processes. These tiny nanoparticles are oligomers formed by hydrophobic-driven self-aggregation, and upon exposure the oligomers and their associated nanoparticles can bioaccumulate in in vitro and several in vivo organs, including the liver, intestine, and even in the brain. Severe intestinal damage and inflammation are also observed, the toxic effect of which is mostly pronounced from hydrolyzed oligomer products. Furthermore, the oligomers’ potential protein target screening using large scale pharmacophore model reveals that oligomers can interact with matrix metallopeptidase 12 protein (MMP12), which is further validated using protein binding assay. A close mechanistic study reveals high binding affinity of oligomers to the catalytic zinc ion finger domain, leading to MMP12 inactivation and mediating the adverse bowel inflammatory effect following PLA oligomer exposure. Since biodegradable plastics are highly proposed as one solution for the global plastic problem, understanding the gastrointestinal fate and toxicity of bioplastics, will provide ground-breaking data on bioplastics as a substantial risk to human health.
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This study found that when PLA microplastics -- a common biodegradable plastic -- are partially broken down in the digestive system, they form smaller oligomer nanoplastics that are actually more toxic to the brain than the original particles. Mice exposed to these digestive breakdown products showed worse neurological effects, challenging the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for human health.
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Researchers reviewed how bioplastic-derived micro- and nanoplastics — particularly from polylactic acid — behave in the gastrointestinal tract, finding that simulated digestion causes fragmentation and protein corona formation, while in vivo mouse models show gut microbiota disruption, oxidative stress, and indirect hepatotoxicity via altered microbial metabolism.
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Researchers studying biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics found that gut lipases hydrolyze them into oligomers that self-assemble into nanoplastic particles, which then bioaccumulate in multiple mouse organs and trigger acute intestinal inflammation, raising concerns about the safety of biodegradable plastics.
Gastrointestinal Incomplete Degradation Exacerbates Neurotoxic Effects of PLA Microplastics via Oligomer Nanoplastics Formation (Adv. Sci. 28/2024)
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Researchers discovered that PLA microplastics, widely considered a safer biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics, partially break down in the gastrointestinal tract into even smaller oligomer nanoplastics. These breakdown products proved more easily absorbed by the body and more toxic to brain tissue than the original microplastics. The findings suggest that biodegradable plastics may pose underappreciated risks to human health, particularly regarding neurotoxic effects.
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