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Papers
20 resultsPolystyrene microplastics trigger colonic inflammation in rats via the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway and modulation of intestinal microbiota
Rats exposed to polystyrene microplastics for 90 days developed significant colon inflammation, including damaged gut lining, increased inflammatory markers, and disrupted gut bacteria. The study identified a specific inflammatory pathway (TLR4/NF-kB/COX-2) through which microplastics trigger intestinal inflammation, providing important clues about how plastic particles in food and water could contribute to gut diseases in humans.
Targeting NF-κB Signaling: Selected Small Molecules Downregulate Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Both Food Allergen and LPS-Induced Inflammation
This study found that two natural food compounds, vanillyl alcohol and lauric acid, can reduce inflammation by blocking the NF-kB pathway, a key driver of chronic inflammatory diseases. While not directly about microplastics, the NF-kB pathway is one of the main ways that microplastic exposure triggers inflammation in the body. These findings suggest that certain dietary compounds could help mitigate the inflammatory effects of environmental pollutants like microplastics.
A probiotic for preventing microplastic toxicity: Clostridium dalinum mitigates microplastic-induced damage via microbiota-metabolism-barrier interactions
Using metagenomics and metabolomics, this study found that the probiotic bacterium Clostridium dalinum reduced microplastic-induced gut damage in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition, metabolic pathways, and intestinal barrier integrity.
Oxidized/unmodified-polyethylene microplastics neurotoxicity in mice: Perspective from microbiota-gut-brain axis
Mice exposed to both regular and environmentally weathered polyethylene microplastics developed brain and gut damage, including behavioral changes, weakened gut and blood-brain barriers, and inflammation -- with weathered microplastics causing even more harm. Importantly, treatment with a probiotic (Lactobacillus) and a prebiotic partially reversed these effects, suggesting that gut-friendly supplements might help protect against microplastic-related brain and intestinal damage.
Lactobacillus plantarum reduces polystyrene microplastic induced toxicity via multiple pathways: A potentially effective and safe dietary strategy to counteract microplastic harm
Researchers found that Lactobacillus plantarum, a probiotic bacterium commonly found in fermented foods, can reduce the harmful effects of polystyrene microplastics in mice through multiple pathways. The bacteria worked by binding directly to plastic particles to help remove them from the body, reducing oxidative damage, repairing the intestinal barrier, and regulating bile acid metabolism. This suggests that certain probiotics could be a safe dietary strategy to help counteract some of the negative health effects of microplastic exposure.
Polystyrene microplastic-induced oxidative stress triggers intestinal barrier dysfunction via the NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β/MCLK pathway
Mice that swallowed polystyrene microplastics for 28 days developed oxidative stress and inflammation in their colons, leading to a weakened intestinal barrier with reduced protective mucus and loosened cell connections. The largest microplastics (5 micrometers) caused the most severe gut damage through a specific inflammatory pathway (NF-kB/NLRP3/MLCK), and antioxidant treatment was able to partially reverse the effects.
Probiotics as Modulators of Microplastic-induced Toxicity: A Systematic Review
This systematic review found that probiotics can reduce microplastic-induced toxicity in animal models by restoring gut microbiota balance, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating inflammatory responses. The findings suggest that probiotic supplementation may help mitigate the harmful effects of unavoidable microplastic exposure, though human clinical trials are still needed.
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.
Probiotics as a therapeutic approach to alleviate reproductive harm from polystyrene microplastics in male rats
Researchers tested whether probiotic supplementation could protect against reproductive toxicity caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure in male rats, finding that PS-MP caused dose-dependent testicular damage and disrupted kisspeptin signaling in the hypothalamus. Probiotics partially reversed these effects, suggesting a gut-testis axis through which microbiome modulation may mitigate reproductive harm.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a colitis mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
Researchers exposed colitis mouse models to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics to test whether MNP exposure worsens inflammatory bowel disease, finding that MNPs altered biodistribution and exacerbated inflammatory responses in animals with pre-existing gut inflammation.
Microplastic consumption induces inflammatory signatures in the colon and prolongs a viral arthritis
Researchers found that mice consuming polystyrene microplastics through drinking water developed mild inflammatory changes in the colon, even though the particles were not detected in internal organs. When the mice were infected with chikungunya virus, those consuming microplastics experienced significantly prolonged arthritic swelling associated with elevated immune cell activity. The study suggests that microplastic consumption may subtly alter gut and immune function in ways that worsen inflammatory responses.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics aggravates colitis in a mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
Researchers found that polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics aggravated colitis symptoms in a mouse model, increasing gut permeability, inflammatory cytokine levels, and tissue damage compared to controls. The study provides mechanistic evidence linking microplastic exposure to worsening of inflammatory bowel conditions.
Lactic acid bacteria reduce polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics-induced toxicity through their bio-binding capacity and gut environment repair ability
Researchers found that lactic acid bacteria, the kind used in yogurt and fermented foods, can reduce the toxic effects of polystyrene micro and nanoplastics in mice. The bacteria worked by physically binding to the plastic particles and by repairing damage to the gut lining and restoring healthy gut bacteria populations. This suggests that probiotics could be a practical way to help protect the digestive system from the harmful effects of microplastic exposure through food and water.
Active compounds of licorice ameliorate microplastics-induced intestinal damage by targeting FADD
Researchers tested whether active compounds from licorice root could protect intestinal cells from damage caused by microplastic exposure in mice, finding that licorice compounds reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut and partially restored intestinal barrier integrity.
Probiotics improve polystyrene microplastics-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice by alleviating inflammatory response
Researchers found that giving mice probiotics (beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) helped protect against reproductive damage caused by polystyrene microplastics. The microplastics disrupted gut bacteria and triggered inflammation that traveled to the testes via the gut-testis connection, reducing sperm quality and testosterone levels. Probiotic treatment restored healthy gut bacteria and reduced the inflammatory response, suggesting that maintaining gut health could help counteract some reproductive harm from microplastic exposure.
Postbiotic Sodium Butyrate Mitigates Hypertension and Kidney Dysfunction in Juvenile Rats Exposed to Microplastics
This study reports that sodium butyrate, a postbiotic compound, mitigated microplastic-induced hypertension and kidney dysfunction in juvenile rats by reducing oxidative stress, modulating the gut microbiota, and elevating butyric acid levels.
Influence of Microplastics on Morphological Manifestations of Experimental Acute Colitis
Researchers fed polystyrene microplastics to mice for six weeks and found that healthy mice developed changes in their colon lining, including altered mucus composition and immune cell populations. When mice with experimentally induced colitis also consumed microplastics, their intestinal inflammation was significantly more severe. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may worsen inflammatory bowel conditions.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate ameliorates polystyrene microplastics-induced anxiety-like behavior in mice by modulating gut microbe homeostasis
A mouse study found that exposure to polystyrene microplastics caused anxiety-like behavior by disrupting gut bacteria and triggering brain inflammation. A green tea compound called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) reversed these effects by restoring healthy gut microbe balance and reducing inflammation in the brain. This suggests the gut-brain connection plays a key role in how microplastics affect mental health, and that certain dietary compounds might offer protection.
Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics reduces macrophages and affects the microbiota–gut–brain axis in mice
Mice that consumed polystyrene microplastics over an extended period showed reduced immune cells called macrophages in their colons and changes in gut bacteria that were linked to altered brain chemistry. This study provides evidence for a gut-brain connection where microplastics may affect brain function indirectly by first disrupting gut health and the immune system.
Polystyrene nanoplastics induce glycolipid metabolism disorder via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathway in mice
Researchers fed mice polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles disrupted the animals' ability to regulate blood sugar and fat metabolism. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver, activating signaling pathways that led to insulin resistance and abnormal fat accumulation. The study provides evidence that nanoplastic exposure may contribute to metabolic disorders through specific molecular mechanisms involving the NF-kB and MAPK pathways.