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Polystyrene microplastic exposure induces insulin resistance in mice via dysbacteriosis and pro-inflammation
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Researchers found that exposing mice to polystyrene microplastics induced insulin resistance regardless of whether the animals were on a normal or high-fat diet. The study identified disruption of gut bacteria and increased intestinal inflammation as key mechanisms driving the metabolic changes. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure may contribute to metabolic health issues by altering the gut microbiome and triggering chronic inflammation.
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants have become a global environmental problem. However, studies on the effects of MPs on metabolic diseases remain limited. Here, we evaluated the effects of polystyrene (PS), one of the most prominent types of MPs, on insulin sensitivity in mice fed with normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD), and explained the underlying mechanisms. Mice fed with NCD or HFD both showed insulin resistance (IR) after PS exposure accompanied by increased plasma lipopolysaccharide and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. Exposure to PS also resulted in a significant decrease in the richness and diversity of gut microbiota, particularly an increase in the relative abundance of Gram-negative bacteria such as Prevotellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. Additionally, PS with a small particle size (5 μm) accumulated in the liver, kidneys and blood vessels of mice. Further analyses showed inhibition of the insulin signaling pathway in the liver of PS exposed mice, such as inhibition of IRS1 and decreased expression of PI3K. Hence, the mechanism of PS exposure to induce IR in mice might be mediated through regulating gut microbiota and PS accumulation in tissues, stimulating inflammation and inhibiting the insulin signaling pathway. In conclusion, PS might be a potential environmental contaminant that causes metabolic diseases associated with IR.
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Researchers found that long-term polystyrene microplastic exposure worsened high-fat-diet-induced obesity in mice by exacerbating gut microbiota dysbiosis, suggesting microplastic ingestion may amplify metabolic disease risk through disruption of the gut microbiome.
Disturbed Gut-Liver axis indicating oral exposure to polystyrene microplastic potentially increases the risk of insulin resistance
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Researchers found that oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics in mice disrupted the gut-liver axis, causing intestinal inflammation and liver metabolic dysfunction that together increased the risk of insulin resistance. The study showed that microplastics damaged the intestinal barrier, allowing harmful substances to reach the liver and trigger metabolic disturbances. These findings suggest a potential pathway by which microplastic ingestion could contribute to metabolic health problems.
Impact of Microplastic Exposure on Blood Glucose Levels and Gut Microbiota: Differential Effects under Normal or High-Fat Diet Conditions
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Mice exposed to polystyrene microplastics showed changes in blood sugar levels and gut bacteria, with the effects being worse when combined with a high-fat diet. The microplastics disrupted the balance of beneficial gut bacteria and increased markers associated with type 2 diabetes. This study suggests that microplastic exposure could contribute to blood sugar problems in people, especially those who already eat an unhealthy diet.
Polystyrene microplastics trigger adiposity in mice by remodeling gut microbiota and boosting fatty acid synthesis
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Researchers discovered that polystyrene microplastics at relatively low concentrations caused weight gain and excess fat accumulation in mice by reshaping their gut bacteria. The altered gut microbiome boosted fatty acid production, increased appetite, and lowered physical activity in the exposed mice. This finding is significant because it suggests everyday levels of microplastic exposure could contribute to obesity through changes in gut bacteria and metabolism.
Polystyrene microplastics induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in mice
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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.
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