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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Micro- and nanoplastics differ in particle-mucus interactions: The sight on rheological properties, barrier dysfunction and microbiota dysbiosis
ClearPerturbation of gut microbiota plays an important role in micro/nanoplastics-induced gut barrier dysfunction
Researchers investigated how micro- and nanoplastics disrupt gut barrier function in mice, finding that different surface chemistries caused varying levels of damage. The study suggests that these plastic particles harm the gut by altering the gut microbiome, which then leads to inflammation and weakening of the intestinal barrier that normally keeps harmful substances out of the body.
The role of human intestinal mucus in the prevention of microplastic uptake and cell damage
Researchers studied how the mucus lining of the human intestine acts as a barrier against microplastic particles of different sizes and surface coatings. The mucus layer significantly reduced microplastic uptake by cells and protected against toxicity and inflammation. This study suggests that a healthy intestinal mucus layer is an important natural defense against the harmful effects of swallowed microplastics.
The role of gut microbiota in mediating increased toxicity of nano-sized polystyrene compared to micro-sized polystyrene in mice
This mouse study found that nano-sized polystyrene plastics were significantly more toxic than micro-sized ones, causing greater gut inflammation, liver damage, and metabolic disruption. The key difference was driven by how each size affected gut bacteria: nanoplastics caused a more severe shift toward harmful bacteria and away from beneficial ones. The findings suggest that the smallest plastic particles may pose the greatest health risk because they more dramatically disrupt the gut microbiome.
Impacts of polystyrene microplastic on the gut barrier, microbiota and metabolism of mice
Researchers exposed mice to polystyrene microplastics for six weeks and found that the particles accumulated in the gut, reduced protective mucus secretion, and damaged the intestinal barrier. The microplastics also significantly altered the composition of gut bacteria, decreasing beneficial species and increasing harmful ones. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion could disrupt gut health in mammals by simultaneously impairing the physical barrier and reshaping the microbiome.
Continuous oral exposure to micro- and nanoplastics induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier and immune dysfunction in adult mice
Researchers fed mice micro- and nanoplastics at environmentally relevant levels and found significant gut damage, including disrupted gut bacteria, weakened intestinal barriers, and reduced immune function. The ratio of beneficial to harmful gut bacteria shifted, and immune cells in the gut decreased. Importantly, the duration of exposure and the size of plastic particles mattered more than the amount consumed, suggesting even low-level long-term exposure could harm gut health.
Microplastics (MPs): Fate in in vitro human digestive environment and study of the dialogue between epithelium, microbiota and mucus
This study examined what happens to microplastics as they pass through the human digestive system in vitro, studying interactions between plastic particles, gut microbiota, and intestinal mucus. Understanding how the gut processes microplastics is a key step in evaluating their potential health effects.
Unveiling the gut’s plastic predicament: How micro- and nano-plastics drive distinct toxicological pathways in Enchytraeus crypticus
Researchers exposed the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus to environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (50 µm) and nanoplastics (100 nm), finding that nanoplastics caused greater gut microenvironment disruption and more severe biotoxicity than microplastics, acting through distinct mechanistic pathways.
Oral exposure to polyethylene microplastics alters gut morphology, immune response, and microbiota composition in mice
Researchers fed mice polyethylene microplastics of two sizes commonly found in human stool for six weeks and examined the effects on gut health. The study found that microplastic exposure altered gut structure, disrupted immune cell function, changed gene expression related to inflammation and gut barrier integrity, and shifted the composition of gut bacteria. Mice exposed to both sizes simultaneously showed the most severe effects, suggesting that real-world exposure to mixed microplastic sizes may compound the damage.
Effects induced by polyethylene microplastics oral exposure on colon mucin release, inflammation, gut microflora composition and metabolism in mice
Researchers fed mice polyethylene microplastics for 30 days and found that even low doses reduced protective mucus in the colon, altered inflammation markers, and shifted the composition of gut bacteria. The microplastics increased the ratio of Bacteroides to Firmicutes bacteria and affected metabolic pathways in the gut microbiome. The study suggests that oral microplastic exposure may disrupt intestinal health by modifying the gut microbial community and its metabolism.
Micro(nano)plastics and their potential impact on human gut health: a narrative review
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut, discussing ingestion routes, gut barrier interactions, microbiome disruption, and potential systemic health effects.
The role of gut microbiota in MP/NP-induced toxicity
This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics disrupt gut bacteria and why that matters for overall health. The tiny plastic particles change the composition and function of the gut microbiome, which can trigger inflammation, weaken the intestinal barrier, and potentially contribute to diseases beyond the gut through the immune and nervous systems.
Fate and impact of microplastics in in vitro human digestive environment and dialogue between epithelium, gut microbiota and mucus
This study used laboratory models of the human digestive system to track what happens to microplastics as they pass through the gut, and how they interact with gut bacteria and the mucus lining. The findings provide insight into how microplastics may disrupt the gut environment and potentially affect human health.
[Effect of microand nanoplastics on the gastrointestinal mucosa and intestinal microbiome].
This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics entering through the food chain affect the gastrointestinal tract, finding evidence of disruption to gut mucosal integrity and intestinal microbiome composition, with implications for digestive health and systemic immune function.
Immunotoxicity and intestinal effects of nano- and microplastics: a review of the literature
This review examines the evidence on how nano- and microplastics affect the immune system and intestinal health. The findings suggest that exposure to these particles can disrupt the gut microbiome and impair critical intestinal barrier functions, potentially contributing to the development of chronic inflammatory and immune conditions.
Fate of microplastics in human digestive in vitro environment and study of the dialogue between epithelium, microbiota and mucus
Researchers used an in vitro human digestive model to track the fate of microplastics through simulated gastrointestinal conditions, investigating how MPs interact with digestive physico-chemical parameters, the epithelium, gut microbiota, and mucus layer, with particular attention to the vulnerable infant population.
Molecular mechanism differences between nanoplastics and microplastics in colon toxicity: nanoplastics induce ferroptosis-mediated immunogenic cell death, while microplastics cause cell metabolic reprogramming
This study discovered that nanoplastics and microplastics damage the colon through completely different mechanisms depending on their size: nanoscale particles (100 nm) get inside cells and trigger a type of cell death called ferroptosis, while larger particles (10 micrometers) cause physical damage and force cells to switch their energy production. These findings suggest that the smallest plastic particles may pose unique health risks to the gut that differ from larger ones.
Micro(nano)plastics in food system: potential health impacts on human intestinal system.
This review assessed how micro(nano)plastics in the human food system reach the intestine and accumulate in the gut, summarizing evidence that they can alter intestinal barrier function, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the gut microbiome, with implications for long-term digestive health.
Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.
This systematic review of 30 in vitro studies found that microplastics and nanoplastics cause size- and concentration-dependent damage to human gastrointestinal cells, including increased oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis. Smaller particles consistently showed greater cellular uptake and biological effects, though chronic low-dose exposure generally produced minimal impacts.
Microplastics and health hazards: gastrointestinal risk assessment across a multi-species perspective
This review assesses the gastrointestinal health risks of micro- and nanoplastics across multiple species, from aquatic organisms to mammals, examining how these particles interact with the digestive system. Researchers found that microplastics can cause gut inflammation, alter the microbiome, and potentially cross the intestinal barrier into other tissues. The study highlights that understanding effects across species can help predict potential risks to human digestive health.
Influence of artificial digestion on characteristics and intestinal cellular effects of micro-, submicro- and nanoplastics
Researchers simulated human digestion to study how micro-, submicro-, and nanoplastics change as they pass through the stomach and intestines. They found that the digestive process altered the surface properties and size distribution of the plastic particles, potentially affecting how they interact with intestinal cells. The study suggests that the body's digestive environment may transform plastic particles in ways that influence their biological impact.
Effect of microplastics and nanoplastics in gastrointestinal tract on gut health: A systematic review.
This systematic review provides the first comprehensive look at how microplastics and nanoplastics affect the human gut using laboratory models. The findings help explain how these tiny particles may damage the digestive tract lining and trigger inflammation, which is important for understanding the health risks of swallowing microplastics in food and water.
Nanoplastics Induce More Serious Microbiota Dysbiosis and Inflammation in the Gut of Adult Zebrafish than Microplastics
Researchers compared the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the gut health of adult zebrafish and found that nanoplastics caused significantly more severe disruption to gut microbial communities and inflammation. Even at low concentrations, nanoplastics altered the abundance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria more dramatically than larger microplastic particles. The study suggests that smaller plastic particles may pose greater risks to digestive health due to their ability to penetrate tissues more easily.
Different effects of nano- and microplastics on oxidative status and gut microbiota in the marine medaka Oryzias melastigma
Researchers compared the effects of nanoplastics and microplastics on oxidative stress and gut microbiota in marine medaka fish. They found that nanoplastics caused more severe oxidative damage and greater disruption to the gut microbial community than larger microplastic particles. The study suggests that particle size plays a critical role in determining the biological impact of plastic pollution on aquatic organisms.
The ant that may well destroy a whole dam: a systematic review of the health implication of nanoplastics/microplastics through gut microbiota
This systematic review summarizes existing research on how nanoplastics and microplastics disrupt gut bacteria in various organisms. The findings show that plastic particle exposure consistently alters gut microbiome composition, which in turn affects the host's immune function, metabolism, and overall health. These gut bacteria changes may be a key pathway through which microplastics harm human health.