We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.
Summary
This systematic review of 30 in vitro studies found that microplastics and nanoplastics cause size- and concentration-dependent damage to human gastrointestinal cells, including increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis. Smaller particles consistently showed greater cellular uptake and biological effects, though chronic low-dose exposure generally produced minimal impacts.
INTRODUCTION: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants with growing concerns about their ingestion through food and water sources. Although animal studies suggest adverse health effects, direct mechanistic evidence in human gastrointestinal (GI) systems remains limited. In vitro models using human GI cell lines and organoids offer a physiologically relevant platform for investigating the effects of MPs and NPs on human health. However, existing findings are fragmented and lack systematic synthesis. This systematic review aims to consolidate and critically analyse current evidence on the biological effects of MPs and NPs in human GI in vitro studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles were selected from a previously conducted systematic search across Scopus and PubMed databases. Studies excluded from the prior review but relevant to MPs and NPs effects on human GI cells were re-screened under newly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were included. MPs and NPs were shown to induce size- and concentration-dependent biological effects, including increased cellular uptake, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis. Smaller particles consistently exhibited greater cellular internalisation and biological effects. These effects mainly occurred at high concentrations. Under chronic exposure, most studies reported minimal or no significant effects except for cell viability. CONCLUSION: This review provides the first comprehensive synthesis of in vitro evidence on the biological effects of MPs and NPs in human GI models. It advances mechanistic understanding and outlines future directions to strengthen health risk assessment, inform strategies for disease prevention, and guide public health policies addressing microplastic exposure.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.
This systematic review provides the first comprehensive look at how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut using laboratory models. The findings help explain how these tiny particles may damage the digestive tract lining and trigger inflammation, which is important for understanding the health risks of swallowing microplastics in food and water.
Impact of micro- and nanoplastics on gastrointestinal diseases: Recent advances
This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics can harm the digestive system by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and disruption of gut bacteria. These connected pathways can damage the intestinal lining and may contribute to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how everyday plastic exposure through food and water could affect gut health over time.
Micro(nano)plastics and Their Potential Impact on Human Gut Health: A Narrative Review
This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the gut, finding that they can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria in both cell studies and animal models. Since humans are primarily exposed to microplastics through food and food packaging, understanding these gut effects is essential for assessing the true health risks of plastic pollution.
The potential effects of microplastic pollution on human digestive tract cells
Researchers tested polystyrene particles of four different sizes on human colon and small intestine cells to assess the potential effects of microplastic ingestion. They found that the smallest nanoscale particles were more readily taken up by cells and caused greater reductions in cell viability and increased oxidative stress. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose a greater risk to the human digestive tract than larger ones.
Nano-plastics and gastric health: Decoding the cytotoxic mechanisms of polystyrene nano-plastics size
Researchers examined how different sizes of polystyrene nanoplastics affect human stomach cells in the laboratory. They found that smaller nanoplastics were more readily taken up by the cells and caused greater damage, including increased oxidative stress and reduced cell survival. The study suggests that nanoplastic particle size plays a critical role in determining their potential impact on gastrointestinal health.