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Investigation of the presence of microplastics and their clinical significance in patients with exacerbation and stable periods of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Researchers examined the presence of microplastics in sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients during exacerbation and stable phases. MPs were detected in a majority of patient samples, and their presence was associated with greater airway inflammation, suggesting inhaled microplastics contribute to COPD pathology.
Introduction: It is known that microplastics (MPs) can cause proinflammatory results when taken through the digestive tract. However, their importance on lung through inhalation is unknown. This study aimed to examine the presence and effects of MCs in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). Method: Cases were grouped as COPD-exacerbation (E) (n: 33) and -stable (S) (N: 35) and control (N: 32). Demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters, respiratory function tests, and sputum samples were obtained. MPs were examined in sputum samples under a microscope. Results: MPs were present in all groups, and their mean levels were as follows: 1.53±0.63 units/ml in COPD-E, 0.60±0.47 units/ml in COPD-S, and 0.36±0.24 units/ml in the control group (p=<0.001). Furthermore, MPs were found to be higher in COPD patients with respiratory failure (p=0.01) and in patients exposed to biomass than others (p=0.021). Age and smoking together were positively predicted to MPs in sputum (B=-0.272 for age; p=0.05)(B=-0.005 for pack-years; p=0.07). High MPs levels were associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbation (OR=66.09). Levels of MPs negatively predicted FEV1(L) (B=-0.171; p=0.03), but positively predicted the number of hospitalizations (B=0.342; p=0.02) and emergency admissions due to COPD (B=0.758; p=0.02). Conclusion: This study showed that MPs existed in the sputum of not only in COPD patients, but also in healthy control cases. MPs were significantly higher in patients with COPD-E than with COPD-S and control groups. We suggest that exposure to MPs may be a new risk factor for COPD exacerbations.
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