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A Comprehensive Review of the Impact of Microplastics on the Respiratory, Digestive and Renal Systems – Mechanisms of Toxicity and Health Implications
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics damage the lungs, gut, and kidneys by triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupting the body's natural antioxidant defenses through specific molecular pathways including NF-κB and NLRP3. The review highlights that the digestive and urinary systems are especially vulnerable, with plastic particles shown to impair intestinal barrier function, alter gut bacteria, and reduce kidney cells' ability to neutralize harmful free radicals.
Introduction and Objective.In 2021, global plastic production reached 390.7 million tons and continues to increase annually.The accumulation of microplastic (MP) particles has been observed in all tissues and body fluids, with the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and urinary system being particularly vulnerable to its toxic effects through direct contact.Review Methods.The PubMed database was searched using various combinations of specific key words: 'microplastics', 'nanoplastics', 'lung diseases', 'intestinal diseases', 'renal diseases', and 'hepatic diseases'.Brief description of the state of knowledge.In response to microplastic stimulation, disturbances in oxidative stress balance and increased free radical formation have been observed in lung parenchyma, along with inflammation development via activation of the NF-B pathway dependent on p38 phosphorylation and the Wnt/-catenin pathway.Similar changes were observed in the gastrointestinal tract where microplastic-induced activation of the ROS-NF-B/NLRP3/IL-1/MLCK stress pathway led to damage to the intestinal barrier, alterations in gut microbiota composition, and disruptions in microbial metabolism.In the kidney parenchyma, in addition to the activation of the prior-mentioned inflammatory mechanisms, microplastic exposure resulted in inhibited cell proliferation, intracellular accumulation of microplastics, and a decrease in the expression of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes.This reduced the cells ability to neutralize free radicals and intensified cytotoxic effects. Summary.Understanding the health risks of daily microplastic exposure requires interdisciplinary studies that reflect realworld concentrations, emphasizing chronic effects, particle characteristics and their interactions with associated compounds.
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