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Ingested nano- and microsized polystyrene particles surpass the intestinal barrier and accumulate in the body
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Researchers fed mice nano- and microsized polystyrene particles for up to 24 weeks to study intestinal barrier crossing and accumulation. The study found that plastic particles accumulated in the small intestine and distant organs, though they did not promote intestinal inflammation or worsen colitis, while noting that long-term accumulative effects on gastrointestinal health cannot be ruled out.
Plastic pollution is a major global challenge of our times, baring a potential threat for the environment and the human health. The increasing abundance of nanoplastic (NP) and microplastic (MP) particles in the human diet might negatively affect human health since they - particularly in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - might surpass the intestinal barrier. To investigate whether ingested plastic particles cross the intestinal epithelium and promote bowel inflammation, mice were supplemented with NP or MP polystyrene (PS) particles for 24 or 12 weeks before inducing acute or chronic dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis with continuous plastic administration. Although ingested PS particles accumulated in the small intestine and organs distant from the gastrointestinal tract, PS ingestion did not affect intestinal health nor did it promote colitis severity. Although the lack of colitis-promoting effects of small PS particles might be a relief for IBD patients, potential accumulative effects of ingested plastic particles on the gastrointestinal health cannot be excluded.
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Scientists tracked polystyrene nanoplastics in mice after oral exposure and found the particles accumulated in the stomach, intestines, and liver tissues. In human gastric cells, the nanoplastics entered through multiple pathways and were transported through the cell's internal trafficking system, ultimately reducing cell growth and increasing cell death. The study provides detailed evidence of how nanoplastics can cross biological barriers and cause cellular damage in mammalian systems.
Uptake and effects of orally ingested polystyrene microplastic particles in vitro and in vivo
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Researchers studied the uptake and effects of orally ingested polystyrene microplastic particles using human intestinal cell models and rodent experiments. They found that smaller microplastics were taken up by intestinal cells and could cross the gut barrier, though the majority passed through the digestive system. The study suggests that while most ingested microplastics are excreted, a fraction can be absorbed, warranting further investigation into long-term health effects.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a colitis mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
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Researchers studied the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a mouse model of colitis, examining biodistribution, immune cell responses, and gut microbiome changes. The study found that nanosized particles in particular showed distinct biodistribution patterns and affected macrophage polarization under inflammatory conditions, suggesting that intestinal inflammation may alter how the body handles micro- and nanoplastic particles.
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