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Micro- and nanoplastic impact on insulin resistance and related metabolic disorder in rodents: A systematic review
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This systematic review examined whether micro- and nanoplastics contribute to insulin resistance in animal studies. The findings suggest that polystyrene plastic particles can disrupt how the body processes sugar and responds to insulin, pointing to a possible link between plastic exposure and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes.
This systematic review focuses on evaluating the available evidence regarding the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics (PS-MNPs) on insulin resistance, considering their potential role in the pathophysiology of metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. To this end, a structured search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus databases, following the PRISMA methodology, to identify and select relevant studies published in recent years. Although the initial search was broad, covering exposure to MNPs and metabolic alterations in general, the review was ultimately restricted to in vivo murine models, as they represent the most widely used experimental system in metabolic toxicology and constitute an essential step before translation into human research. This decision allowed for greater consistency and comparability of findings across different studies. The database search initially retrieved 911 publications, of which only 16 studies met the predefined eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis. The eligibility criteria were as follows: we excluded studies not written in English, those lacking a control group, or without at least one intervention group exposed to micro- or nanoplastics. To ensure biological homogeneity, only studies conducted in mice were included, while all other species were excluded. Secondary literature, such as reviews and meta-analyses, was not considered. Finally, studies focusing on tissues other than the liver, adipose tissue, or obesity-related outcomes (e.g., kidney, placenta) were excluded. In this way, the review aims to synthesize the most relevant available evidence, identify common patterns, and highlight knowledge gaps that require further investigation. Overall, this review seeks to provide a critical and updated overview of the impact of PS-MNPs on metabolic dysfunction, offering a framework that may guide future experimental and clinical studies in this emerging field of environmental and metabolic health.
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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics worsened type 2 diabetes symptoms in mice, including blood sugar control, insulin resistance, and organ damage in the liver and pancreas. Even nanoplastics alone, without a high-fat diet, caused significant increases in blood glucose and insulin resistance at higher doses. The study reveals a specific molecular pathway through which nanoplastics disrupt blood sugar regulation, raising concerns that chronic human exposure to nanoplastics could contribute to metabolic diseases like diabetes.
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This systematic review examines how nanoplastic exposure in mice affects metabolism and blood sugar control. The findings suggest that ingesting nanoplastics may disrupt metabolic processes and glucose regulation in mammals, raising concerns about potential links between everyday plastic exposure and metabolic health conditions like diabetes in humans.
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This review examines growing evidence that micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to diabetes by disrupting blood sugar regulation, insulin signaling, and fat metabolism through oxidative stress and inflammation. Animal studies show that plastic particles can damage the pancreas, liver, and gut in ways that mirror the development of diabetes, though human studies are still limited. The review calls for more research into whether everyday microplastic exposure could be a hidden factor in the global rise of metabolic diseases.
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 and Nanoplastics as Potential Metabolic Disruptors: Implications for Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
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Tiny plastic particles have been found throughout our bodies—in blood, lung tissue, even the placenta—and this review explores early evidence that they might disrupt gut health and metabolism in ways that could contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The theory: these particles may damage the gut lining, throw off gut bacteria and digestive hormones, and trigger low-level inflammation in the liver. It's important to note this is still a hypothesis based mostly on animal studies, not proof that microplastics cause diabetes in humans, but it highlights a research area worth watching closely.
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