We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A digestive system microphysiological platform for assessment of internal-exposure risks and metabolic disease mechanisms induced by multi-size nano-plastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a digestive system organ-on-a-chip microphysiological platform to assess how nanoplastics (NPs) are absorbed, metabolized, and cause internal exposure risks. The system revealed size-dependent toxic effects of NPs on liver cells and lipid metabolism, providing mechanistic insights into NP-associated liver disease risk.
Nano-plastics (NPs) are emerging hazardous environmental contaminants that pose health risks with size-dependent toxic effects and are potential risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and lipid metabolism disorders including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, their underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To shed more light on the causes of these risks, we developed a digestive system microphysiological platform (DS-MPP) for simulating dynamic internal-exposure of multi-size NPs in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. Multi-omics analysis based on DS-MPP revealed hepatic cells are more sensitive to 72 μg/day NPs than gastrointestinal mucosa cells. Specifically, 50 nm NPs disrupt phospholipid metabolism, promote diacylglycerol (DG) accumulation, convert more DG to phosphatidic acid (PA) than triacylglycerol (TG), thus facilitating endocytic vesicles production. Meanwhile, it can active tumorigenesis related pathway mTOR, inducing HCC marked by CAB39. Moreover, 500 nm NPs promote NAFLD by inducing insulin resistance pathways and decreasing PLD1 expression. Our results demonstrate the mechanism of disease and metabolic disorders induced by NPs vary depending on particle size. DS-MPP is a reliable platform for evaluating risk of dynamic NPs exposure and elucidating mechanisms of related metabolic diseases. This platform provides a promising method for health risk assessment caused by environmental pollutants.
More Papers Like This
Revealing transport, uptake and damage of polystyrene microplastics using a gut-liver-on-a-chip
AI summary Read the abstract
Using an advanced gut-liver organ-on-a-chip system that mimics human digestion, researchers tracked how polystyrene microplastics travel from the intestine to the liver. The microplastics crossed the intestinal barrier, accumulated in liver tissue, and caused dose-dependent damage to liver cells. This human-relevant model provides strong evidence that microplastics ingested through food and water can reach and harm the liver.
Uptake and Effects of Micro‐, Submicro‐ and Nanoplastics Investigated on in vitro Models of the Intestinal Barrier and the Liver
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the uptake and toxic effects of micro-, submicro-, and nanoplastics using in vitro models of the intestinal barrier and liver to assess how plastic particles of different sizes interact with gastrointestinal and hepatic cells. The study examined cellular internalization, barrier integrity, and metabolic responses to characterize size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
Decoding microplastic toxicity on human health: navigating translational challenges using organ-on-chip models.
AI summary Read the abstract
This review paper summarizes existing research on how microplastics may affect human health, including the limits of current lab and animal studies. It discusses "organ-on-a-chip" devices, small lab systems using human cells grown in 3D, as a possible better way to study how microplastics interact with the body.
Detection of Time-Dependent Uptake of Microplastics by Joint Utilization of Hepatic Organoids and a 3D-Printed Carrier
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists grew tiny lab-made liver tissues (organoids) that behave more like real livers than flat cell cultures, and found they absorbed surprising amounts of microplastic particles, nearly 40% within 48 hours. This uptake damaged liver cells and impaired their energy-producing mitochondria, suggesting microplastics may pose a real risk to liver health, not just a theoretical one.
Mechanisms of microplastics on gastrointestinal injury and liver metabolism disorder (Review)
AI summary Read the abstract
This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics can damage the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt liver metabolism when they enter the human body. The particles trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death in gut tissues, and can interfere with how the liver processes glucose and fats. As plastics continue to break down into ever-smaller particles, the potential for harm increases because nanoplastics can penetrate cells more easily.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.