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Take-out containers as nano- and microplastics reservoirs: Diet-driven gut dysbiosis in university students
Summary
Researchers analyzed stool samples from 24 university students and found microplastics in every sample, with students who frequently ate from plastic take-out containers having significantly higher levels. The most common plastic type was PET, likely from food packaging. Higher microplastic levels were associated with changes in gut bacteria composition, suggesting that everyday habits like eating take-out food could disrupt gut health through microplastic exposure.
Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are presenting a significant challenge to global ecosystems and human health, however, human evidence on NPs-specific effects and their impacts on gut microbiota remains absent. This study investigated the exposure characteristics of MPs/NPs and their associations with gut microbiota dysbiosis in a high-risk population-university students. Fecal samples from 24 university students were analyzed via Raman spectroscopy and micro-FTIR for comprehensive MPs/NPs characterization. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed taxonomic shifts linked to MPs/NPs exposure. Questionnaires were used to assess potential exposure pathways to MPs in humans. Through integrated Raman spectroscopy, micro-FTIR, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized MPs/NPs in fecal samples (n = 24) while correlating exposure levels with microbial shifts. Microplastics were universally detected in fecal samples across all study participants, with concentrations ranging from 170.86 to 269.33 particles/100g, predominantly polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 83.42 %) and fibers (85.95 %). NPs (< 0.1 μm) constituted only 0.14 %. Frequent consumers of plastic-packaged foods (≥ 3/day) exhibited significantly higher total MPs, PET, polyethylene (PE), and fibers versus infrequent users. The analysis found a moderate correlation between participants' drinking water intake and fecal Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) concentrations (r=0.434, P=0.034). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that despite no significant β-diversity shifts, the exposure-stratified analysis uncovered critical taxonomic alterations with potential metabolic implications. The high-concentration group enriched Megasphaera and Shewanella while depleting Romboutsia at the genus level (P<0.05). Similarly, NP-negative group individuals exhibited higher Proteobacteria and Desulfobacterota (P < 0.05), higher Desulfovibrio, [Eubacterium]_eligens_group, and Negativibacillus, yet lower butyrate-producing Butyricicoccus compared to NP-positive group (P < 0.05). This study provides the first human evidence of NPs-associated gut dysbiosis, linking varying MP concentrations and sizes to gut microbiota alterations; it highlights dietary plastic packaging as a key exposure source. This work bridges critical gaps between in vitro NPs toxicity and real-world human health impacts, advocating for stricter regulations on single-use plastic packaging in food delivery systems targeting youth populations.
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