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Papers
150 resultsShowing papers from University of Milan
ClearNew Insights in Microplastic Cellular Uptake Through a Cell-Based Organotypic Rainbow-Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Intestinal Platform
Using a lab model of rainbow trout intestine, researchers showed that microplastics (1-5 micrometers) can break through the gut barrier by disrupting the tight junctions that hold intestinal cells together. The plastic particles were then taken up by both surface cells and deeper tissue cells through a process called macropinocytosis. This helps explain how microplastics in food can cross the gut wall and potentially spread to other organs.
Effects of microplastics on the immune system: How much should we worry?
This review examines how microplastics may affect the human immune system, noting that people are mainly exposed through food and breathing. While early research shows microplastics can trigger inflammation and immune responses in lab and animal studies, the authors stress that more research is needed to understand what this means for human health at real-world exposure levels.
Dietary exposure and risk assessment of plastic particles in cow’s milk stored in various packaging materials
Researchers compared plastic particle contamination in cow's milk stored in different types of packaging and found that milk in multilayer containers had more plastic particles than milk in PET or glass bottles. This matters for human health because millions of people drink milk daily, and the packaging itself may be adding plastic contaminants to a staple food.
Potential Effects of Environmental and Occupational Exposure to Microplastics: An Overview of Air Contamination
This review summarizes what is known about airborne microplastics in both general and workplace environments, noting that indoor concentrations often exceed outdoor levels. While the WHO has called for more research on health effects, toxicity studies remain limited and not easily comparable due to a lack of standardized methods -- meaning the full health risks of breathing in microplastics are still unclear.
A global perspective on microplastic bioaccumulation in marine organisms
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in marine organisms around the world, documenting how plastics of various sizes and types build up in seafood species. Since many of these species end up on our plates, the findings raise important questions about how much microplastic humans may be consuming through seafood.
Comparison of the potential toxicity induced by microplastics made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylactic acid (PLA) on the earthworm Eisenia foetida
Researchers compared the toxicity of microplastics made from conventional PET plastic and biodegradable PLA plastic on earthworms. Surprisingly, the supposedly eco-friendly PLA particles caused more harm than PET, triggering oxidative stress, tissue damage, and behavioral changes in the worms. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are always safer for soil organisms than traditional plastics.
Global assessment of marine plastic exposure risk for oceanic birds
Researchers combined ocean plastic density maps with GPS tracking data for over 7,000 seabirds across 77 petrel species to identify where birds are most likely to encounter and accidentally eat plastic debris. High-risk zones were identified in the Mediterranean, northeast Pacific, and South Atlantic, with threatened species facing disproportionately greater exposure — often in international waters beyond any single country's control.
Preliminary Study on PCC-Chitosan’s Ability to Enhance Microplastic Excretion in Human Stools from Healthy Volunteers
In a small human trial, ten healthy volunteers who took a chitosan supplement (made from crayfish shells) before eating excreted significantly more microplastics in their stool compared to eating without the supplement. The chitosan appeared to help the body eliminate nine different types of microplastics more effectively, with overall microplastic excretion increasing by about 47%. While preliminary, this is one of the first studies to suggest a dietary intervention could help the human body get rid of accumulated microplastics.
Interactions between microplastics and microbiota in a One Health perspective
This review examines how microplastics interact with microbial communities across human, animal, and environmental settings using a One Health framework. Microplastics disrupt the normal balance of microbiota in the gut, soil, and water, and serve as surfaces where harmful bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes accumulate and spread. The authors argue that understanding these microplastic-microbe interactions across all domains of life is essential for protecting both ecosystem and human health.
Latitudinal patterns of microplastic contamination in remote areas
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in glaciers across different latitudes worldwide and found that concentrations were highest near population centers and in regions with greater atmospheric transport. The study revealed clear patterns showing that microplastics travel long distances through the air and accumulate even in remote, icy environments far from human activity. These findings matter because glaciers feed into freshwater systems used for drinking water, meaning this contamination eventually reaches human populations.
Nanoplastic impact on bone microenvironment: A snapshot from murine bone cells
This study found that nanoplastics are toxic to bone cells in mice, causing cell death, increased production of damaging reactive oxygen species, and disruption of the bone remodeling process. The nanoplastics impaired the ability of bone-building cells to migrate and promoted the formation of bone-destroying cells. These findings suggest that nanoplastic exposure could potentially contribute to bone diseases like osteoporosis, though more research in living animals and humans is needed.
The Seed Germination Test as a Valuable Tool for the Short-Term Phytotoxicity Screening of Water-Soluble Polyamidoamines
Researchers tested the short-term toxicity of water-soluble polyamidoamines (synthetic polymers) on plant seeds and found that toxicity depended on the electrical charge of the polymer. While not directly about microplastics, this study is relevant because it demonstrates how the surface charge of synthetic polymer particles influences their biological effects, a principle that applies to understanding microplastic toxicity as well.
Microplastics Contamination in Nonalcoholic Beverages from the Italian Market
Researchers tested nonalcoholic beverages including soft drinks and cold tea from Italian supermarkets for microplastic contamination. They found microplastics, predominantly fibers, in most samples, averaging about 9 particles per liter. The study confirms that beverage consumption is a meaningful pathway for human microplastic ingestion, adding to growing evidence of widespread plastic contamination in food and drink products.
Sex, Nutrition, and NAFLD: Relevance of Environmental Pollution
This review explores how environmental pollutants, including microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, may contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with differences between men and women. The authors argue that diet and lifestyle changes alone cannot explain the rapid global rise in liver disease, and that chemical exposures deserve more attention. The study highlights how pollutants that disrupt hormones and metabolism could be an underrecognized factor in liver health.
First evidence of microplastic contamination in the supraglacial debris of an alpine glacier
Researchers documented the first evidence of microplastic contamination on an alpine glacier, finding concentrations in the supraglacial debris of Italy's Forni Glacier comparable to levels seen in European beaches and coastal sediments. The particles included polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene from outdoor clothing and packaging. The discovery shows that microplastic pollution has reached even remote high-mountain environments.
From the Environment to Molecular Interactions of Nanoplastics: Unraveling the Neurotoxic Impacts and the Implications in Neurodegenerative Processes
This review examines how nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially contribute to brain damage and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Nanoplastics have been found in food, water, and air, and once they reach the brain they can trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and protein misfolding. The review calls for more realistic lab studies and better detection methods to understand the true scope of nanoplastic effects on brain health.
Geographical and ecological factors affect microplastic body burden in marine fish at global scale
This systematic review analyzed microplastic levels found in marine fish worldwide and identified key factors driving contamination. Fish from areas with heavy human activity contained more microplastics, and since many of these species are eaten by people, this contamination represents a direct route of human exposure through seafood.
Searching for new plastic-degrading enzymes from the plastisphere of alpine soils using a metagenomic mining approach
Researchers searched alpine soils in the Swiss Alps at 3,000 meters elevation for bacteria that can break down plastics, finding several promising enzyme candidates through DNA analysis. Five of nine tested proteins showed activity against plastic materials, with one hydrolase enzyme performing particularly well. This research matters because finding natural plastic-degrading enzymes could eventually lead to biological methods for breaking down microplastics in the environment, reducing human exposure.
Does mechanical stress cause microplastic release from plastic water bottles?
Researchers tested whether squeezing and repeated opening of PET water bottles releases microplastics into the contained water, finding that while the inner bottle wall was not a significant source under mechanical stress, repeated opening and closing substantially increased particle shedding from the bottleneck-cap interface.
Multi-level toxicity assessment of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics on the cladoceran Daphnia magna
Researchers tested the toxicity of microplastics made from polylactic acid (PLA), a common bioplastic marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, on water fleas over 21 days. The PLA microplastics caused oxidative stress, depleted energy reserves, and reduced reproduction, though effects were generally milder than those reported for conventional plastics. This study challenges the assumption that bioplastics are harmless once they break down in the environment.
Human airway organoids and microplastic fibers: A new exposure model for emerging contaminants
Researchers used human airway organoids, an advanced lab model that mimics real lung tissue, to study the effects of microplastic fibers released from household clothes dryers. While the fibers did not stop organoid growth, they reduced the expression of a gene important for airway cell function and became physically embedded within the growing tissue. The study suggests that inhaled microplastic fibers could have long-term implications for lung tissue repair and establishes organoids as a valuable model for studying airborne plastic contamination.
μ-FTIR Reflectance Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Analysis: A Rapid and Robust Method for Identifying the Extent of Photodegradation on Microplastics
Researchers developed a faster, more sensitive method for identifying weathered microplastics using infrared reflectance spectroscopy combined with statistical analysis. The technique can classify different plastic types and assess their level of sun damage without complex data preprocessing. The approach could improve the speed and accuracy of environmental microplastic monitoring, particularly for particles that have been altered by exposure to sunlight.
Exposure to the Natural Compound Climacostol Induces Cell Damage and Oxidative Stress in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster
Researchers tested the natural compound climacostol, produced by a single-celled organism, on fruit flies to evaluate its effects on a living system. They found that the compound caused significant harm during larval development and triggered oxidative stress and cell damage in adult flies. The study provides important safety data for this compound, which has previously shown potential as an antimicrobial and anti-tumor agent in laboratory settings.
Microplastic pollution calls for urgent investigations in stygobiont habitats: A case study from Classical karst
Researchers examined microplastic pollution in karst cave systems in the Classical Karst region, finding that these underground habitats harbor significant contamination. The study suggests that vulnerable cave-dwelling species may be consuming microplastics, which could undermine conservation efforts for protected groundwater ecosystems and the species that depend on them.