Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Impact of micro- and nanoplastics on gastrointestinal diseases: Recent advances

This review summarizes how micro- and nanoplastics can harm the digestive system by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and disruption of gut bacteria. These connected pathways can damage the intestinal lining and may contribute to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how everyday plastic exposure through food and water could affect gut health over time.

2025 European Journal of Internal Medicine 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Intestinal permeability and gene expression after polyethylene and polyamide microplastic ingestion in Wistar rats

Researchers found that Wistar rats fed polyethylene and polyamide microplastics for five weeks showed changes in intestinal gene expression related to mucin production and immune response, though intestinal permeability was not significantly altered.

2022 Toxicology Letters 22 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

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.

2025 The Malaysian journal of pathology
Article Tier 2

The detrimental effects of micro-and nano-plastics on digestive system: An overview of oxidative stress-related adverse outcome pathway

This review maps out how micro and nanoplastics damage the digestive system, identifying oxidative stress as the initial trigger that leads to inflammation, cell death, disrupted gut bacteria, and metabolic disorders. The authors use an adverse outcome pathway framework to connect molecular-level damage to broader health consequences. The findings suggest that ongoing microplastic exposure through food and water could contribute to digestive health problems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 52 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
Article Tier 2

Micro(nano)plastics and Their Potential Impact on Human Gut Health: A Narrative Review

This review summarizes research on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the gut, finding that they can damage the intestinal lining, trigger immune responses, and disrupt the balance of beneficial gut bacteria in both cell studies and animal models. Since humans are primarily exposed to microplastics through food and food packaging, understanding these gut effects is essential for assessing the true health risks of plastic pollution.

2024 Current Issues in Molecular Biology 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Orally Ingested Micro- and Nano-Plastics: A Hidden Driver of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer.

This review synthesizes evidence linking ingested micro- and nano-plastics to inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer risk, proposing that microplastics act as a hidden driver of gut inflammation in vulnerable populations. The authors argue that intestinal accumulation of microplastics triggers immune and oxidative stress pathways that contribute to disease progression.

2024 Cancers
Systematic Review Tier 1

Impact of microplastics on the intestinal microbiota: A systematic review of preclinical evidence

Across 28 preclinical studies, microplastics triggered intestinal dysbiosis characterized by increased Firmicutes and Proteobacteria and decreased Bacteroidetes, while increasing gut permeability and elevating pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6.

2022 Life Sciences 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellular and Systemic Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Mammals—What We Know So Far

This review summarized known cellular and systemic effects of micro- and nanoplastics in mammals, finding that while ingestion is common, knowledge of health impacts remains limited, with oxidative stress and inflammation as the most reported biological responses.

2023 Materials 13 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxicity to assess exposure to micro- and nanoplastics. A literature review

This systematic review summarizes research on biomarkers that can measure oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage caused by micro and nanoplastic exposure. Identifying reliable biomarkers is a crucial step toward understanding exactly how microplastics affect human health and developing tools to monitor exposure in people.

2023 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 41 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

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.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Molecular insights into physiological impact of micro- and nano-plastics on the digestive system and gut-brain axis

This review evaluates molecular-level evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics affect the digestive system and the gut-brain axis after ingestion through contaminated food and water. The study describes how these particles accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas, causing oxidative stress, gut microbiota disruption, and compromised intestinal barriers, potentially allowing particles to reach the central nervous system and contribute to neuroinflammatory conditions.

2026 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C Toxicology & Pharmacology
Article Tier 2

A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Potential Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects From Micro(nano) Plastic Exposure

This narrative review synthesizes evidence on gastrointestinal adverse effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure, examining how these particles interact with gut microbiota, mucosal barriers, and immune tissue to contribute to inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and colorectal cancer risk.

2025 Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Article Tier 2

[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.

2023 PubMed 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Untoward Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics: An Expert Review of Their Biological Impact and Epigenetic Effects

This expert review examined the biological and epigenetic effects of micro- and nanoplastics on living organisms. The study suggests that while intestinal uptake of plastic particles appears relatively low and size-dependent, nanoplastics may dysregulate molecular signaling pathways, alter gut microbiota composition, and induce transgenerational epigenetic changes potentially linked to metabolic disorders.

2021 Advances in Nutrition 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics on Human Genome

This review examines the emerging evidence on how micro- and nanoplastics may interact with human genetic material, including potential effects on DNA integrity and gene expression. Researchers surveyed laboratory studies showing that these particles can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in human cells, which are known pathways for genetic damage. The study highlights significant knowledge gaps and calls for more research into the long-term genomic effects of chronic microplastic exposure.

2024 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Biological effects of Micro and Nanoplastics from environmentally relevant sources on an in vitro model of the intestinal barrier

This thesis investigated human exposure levels and genotoxic and toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics from environmentally relevant sources on an in vitro intestinal barrier model, aiming to provide risk-relevant data to regulatory agencies about MNPs as persistent contaminants.

2025 Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Article Tier 2

Developments in the field of intestinal toxicity and signaling pathways associated with rodent exposure to micro(nano)plastics.

This review synthesizes current research on how micro- and nano-plastics damage the intestinal epithelium, disrupt gut barrier function, and activate inflammatory signaling pathways. The findings highlight the gut as a primary site of microplastic accumulation and suggest that intestinal toxicity may link dietary microplastic exposure to systemic health effects.

2024 Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on marine environment and human health

This review examines the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on marine environments and human health, covering sources, environmental fate, and biological impacts. Researchers summarize evidence that these particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and disruption of gut microbiota in exposed organisms. The study highlights that while the full extent of health risks remains uncertain, the pervasive presence of plastic particles in food, water, and air makes continued research a public health priority.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 237 citations
Review Tier 2

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.

2020 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 658 citations
Article Tier 2

Size-dependent toxicity of polystyrene microplastics on the gastrointestinal tract: Oxidative stress related-DNA damage and potential carcinogenicity

Researchers found that polystyrene microplastics accumulate mainly in stomach tissue, where smaller nanoscale particles cause more severe damage than larger ones. The nanoplastics reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, increased DNA damage markers, and activated signaling pathways associated with cancer development. These size-dependent effects on the gastrointestinal tract suggest that the smallest plastic particles may pose the greatest risk to digestive health.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 74 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and Nanoplastics as Emerging Environmental Materials: GreenChemistry Insights into Gut Microbiota Disruption and Chronic DiseasePathways

Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and disrupt gut microbiota composition, finding evidence linking these exposures to reduced microbial diversity, gut barrier dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and potential contributions to chronic diseases including metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration.

2026 Current Materials Science
Article Tier 2

Relationship between microplastics in stool, diet, and inflammatory markers in healthy Japanese individuals

Researchers investigated the relationship between microplastics found in stool, dietary intake, and inflammatory markers in healthy Japanese individuals who typically consume a diet high in vegetables and seafood. The study explored how different types of microplastics in the intestinal tract may correlate with gastrointestinal inflammation and oxidative stress markers. The findings contribute to understanding how dietary habits influence microplastic exposure and its potential effects on gut health.

2026 Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment 3 citations