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Micro- and Nanoplastics and Human Health: Role of Food Nutrients Targeting Nfe2l2 Gene in Diabetes
Summary
This study explores how dietary polyphenolic compounds found in functional foods may counteract the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure by activating the Nrf2 transcription factor, a master regulator of cellular antioxidant defenses. The research suggests that microplastic-induced deregulation of the Nfe2l2 gene encoding Nrf2 may worsen inflammatory conditions associated with metabolic disorders, and that specific food nutrients could help restore this protective pathway.
A new category of polyphenolic compounds, like flavonoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, and others, referred to as food nutrients, may counteract the harmful effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) by enhancing cellular stress resilience response and overall human health. These compounds found in functional food help mitigate the cellular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress caused by MNP exposure, which can contribute to pathological conditions, including diabetes. Importantly, specific food nutrients are able to activate, at the minimum dose, the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) to prevent or block MNP-induced damage. The Nfe2l2 gene encodes the Nrf2 transcription factor, acting as a master regulator of redox homeostasis by inducing antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven resilience genes, which in turn, promote the expression of detoxification enzymes like heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and shield cells from environmental damage and toxicity. Deregulation of the Nfe2l2 gene due to the accumulation of MNP pollutants may exacerbate the inflammatory conditions associated with diabetes and its chronic complications by rendering cells more sensitive to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. Furthermore, epigenetic modifications influence gene regulation; chromatin remodeling directly impacts DNA accessibility, allowing or limiting transcription factor access to regulate gene expression. This mechanism may also play a pivotal role in the progression of oxidative stress-related diseases, as it modulates the Nrf2 pathway and the expression levels of its target genes. In contrast to the current literature, which has only addressed the pathological mechanisms induced by MNPs, this research explores, for the first time, how food nutrients interacting with the Nfe2l2 gene can combat or reverse the toxic effects of MNPs in cells, tissues, and organs. The goal is to improve health by attenuating MNP toxicity, which is influenced by individual genetic variations and cellular stress resilience.
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