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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Gut-lung microbiota dynamics in mice exposed to Nanoplastics
ClearNanoplastics Chronic Toxicity in Mice: Disturbing the Homeostasis of Tryptophan Metabolism in Gut‐Lung‐Microbiota Axis
Researchers studied how long-term nanoplastic exposure affects mice and found it caused inflammation in the colon and scarring in lung tissue by disrupting a key amino acid metabolism pathway connecting the gut and lungs. They discovered that a beneficial gut bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila was depleted after exposure, and restoring it helped reduce the damage. The study suggests that supporting healthy gut bacteria may be a strategy for mitigating the harmful effects of nanoplastic exposure.
Airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics induce nasal and lung microbial dysbiosis in mice
Researchers found that airborne polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics can induce microbial dysbiosis in the nasal passages and lungs of mice. The study showed that both micro- and nanoplastics altered airway microbiota composition, with microplastics having a stronger influence on lung bacterial communities, suggesting that inhaled plastic particles may disrupt respiratory microbial balance.
Gut-lung axis: a novel mechanism involving microbiota dysbiosis-coordinated PLA2-TRPV1 neuroimmune crosstalk in nanoplastic-induced asthma exacerbation
Researchers found that inhaled polystyrene nanoplastics worsen asthma in mice by triggering a chain reaction involving gut bacteria disruption, nerve-immune signaling, and airway inflammation, revealing a gut-lung connection where plastic particles in the body can amplify respiratory disease through multiple biological pathways at once.
Polyethylene microplastics affect the distribution of gut microbiota and inflammation development in mice
Researchers fed mice different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics for five weeks and found significant changes in gut bacteria composition and signs of intestinal inflammation. Higher doses increased bacterial diversity and altered the balance of specific bacterial species, while triggering immune responses and inflammation in the colon and duodenum. The study provides evidence that microplastic ingestion can disrupt the gut microbiome and promote intestinal inflammation in mammals.
Polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect gut microbiota distribution and intestinal damage in mice
Mice exposed to PET microplastics, the type commonly found in plastic bottles, developed intestinal inflammation, changes in gut bacteria, and signs of a weakened gut barrier. Even at relatively low doses, the microplastics increased liver stress markers and disrupted the protective mucus layer in the colon, suggesting that everyday PET plastic exposure could contribute to digestive health problems.
Microplastics exposed by respiratory tract and exacerbation of community-acquired pneumonia: The potential influences of respiratory microbiota and inflammatory factors
Researchers found that microplastics were present in the lungs of pneumonia patients, and that patients with severe pneumonia had higher levels of microplastics in their airways than those with milder cases. The microplastics appeared to worsen lung infections by disrupting the balance of airway bacteria and increasing inflammation. This study provides early evidence that inhaled microplastics may make respiratory infections more dangerous in humans.
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.
Breathing plastics: Influence of airborne microplastics on the respiratory microbiome and health of human lungs (Review)
Researchers reviewed evidence showing that inhaled airborne microplastics can physically interact with the microbial community living in human lungs, disrupting its balance and triggering inflammation linked to conditions like asthma and fibrosis. Because microplastic particles have been found in lung tissue and fluid samples, inhalation is now recognized as a significant exposure route with measurable consequences for respiratory health.
Impact of particulate microplastics generated from polyethylene terephthalate on gut pathology and immune microenvironments
Researchers generated particulate microplastics from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and investigated their impact on gut health using mouse models, histological examinations, and multi-omics analysis. The study found that while chronic low-dose PET microplastic exposure did not cause visible intestinal damage, it did alter the gut immune microenvironment and microbiota composition, suggesting subtle but measurable biological effects.
Lung microbiota participated in fibrous microplastics (MPs) aggravating OVA-induced asthma disease in mice
In a mouse study, inhaling fiber-shaped microplastics significantly worsened asthma symptoms, including airway inflammation, mucus buildup, and lung tissue scarring. The microplastic fibers also disrupted the balance of bacteria living in the lungs and activated inflammatory pathways. Since fibrous microplastics are the most common airborne shape and have been found in human lungs, this research suggests they could worsen respiratory conditions like asthma in people.
Intestinal flora variation reflects the short-term damage of microplastic to the intestinal tract in mice
Researchers used gut microbiome analysis to track short-term intestinal damage from compositional microplastics (PE, PET, PP, PS, and PVC) in mice over 7 days of exposure. While standard physiological indicators showed no significant changes, histopathological examination and gut flora analysis revealed intestinal tissue damage and microbial community shifts, suggesting that gut microbiota may serve as a sensitive early indicator of microplastic toxicity.
Mechanisms underlying Th2-dominant pneumonia caused by plastic pollution derivatives (PPD): A molecular toxicology investigation that encompasses gut microbiomics and lung metabolomics
In a mouse study, exposure to dibutyl phthalate (a plastic additive) and polystyrene microplastics for five weeks caused pneumonia-like lung damage, increased oxidative stress, and triggered inflammation. The researchers found that these plastic pollution byproducts caused a specific type of immune response that leads to eosinophilic inflammation in the airways, connected through the gut-lung axis. The findings suggest that everyday exposure to plastic-derived chemicals and particles could contribute to respiratory disease.
Toxicity Study and Quantitative Evaluation of Polyethylene Microplastics in ICR Mice
Researchers fed polyethylene microplastics to mice over 28 days to study their toxicity, and used Raman spectroscopy to track where the particles ended up. They detected microplastics in the lungs, stomach, intestines, and blood serum, with repeated oral exposure leading to inflammation in lung tissue. The findings provide evidence that ingested microplastics can travel beyond the gut and accumulate in other organs.
Deleterious effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on rodent lungs: a systematic review
This systematic review summarizes research on how inhaled micro- and nanoplastics affect the lungs in animal studies. The findings show these particles can cause lung inflammation, tissue damage, and immune responses, suggesting that breathing in airborne microplastics may pose real risks to respiratory health.
Perturbation 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 impact of microplastics on the mice gut microbiome: a meta-analysis
This meta-analysis pools data from multiple mouse studies to assess how ingested microplastics affect gut bacteria. It found that microplastic exposure can alter the balance of the gut microbiome, which is important because gut health is closely tied to immune function, digestion, and overall well-being.
Lactate exacerbates lung damage induced by nanomicroplastic through the gut microbiota–HIF1a/PTBP1 pathway
Researchers found that nanoplastic exposure (particles 50–100 nm) disrupts gut bacteria in mice, causing lactate to build up in the lungs and triggering a cellular pathway that worsens lung damage through a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition, where lung tissue changes in ways linked to scarring. The findings identify lactate and the gut-lung axis as key targets for preventing nanoplastic-induced lung injury.
Organ-specific accumulation and toxicity analysis of orally administered polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
When mice were fed tiny PET plastic particles (the kind found in water bottles and food containers), the particles accumulated mainly in the lungs and caused inflammatory damage at higher doses. The study found that male mice were more sensitive than females, and the results highlight that microplastics swallowed through food and drink can travel to and harm organs beyond the digestive system.
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.
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.
Foodborne and airborne polyethersulfone nanoplastics respectively induce liver and lung injury in mice: Comparison with microplastics
Researchers compared the effects of polyethersulfone micro and nanoplastics when consumed through food versus inhaled through air in mice. Eaten particles mainly damaged the liver by disrupting gut bacteria and metabolism, while inhaled particles primarily harmed the lungs. Nanoplastics caused more damage than microplastics in both cases, suggesting that the smallest plastic particles we breathe and eat may pose the greatest health risks.
Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems
This review summarizes recent findings on how micro- and nanoplastics affect mammalian health, drawing on mouse model experiments and human cell line studies. Researchers found evidence that these tiny plastic particles can disrupt gut microbiota, cause metabolic toxicity, and accumulate in tissues after ingestion or inhalation. The study suggests that long-term accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics in human tissues could have negative health consequences that are not yet fully understood.
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.
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.