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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Potential risks of PET micro- and nanoplastics to the human gastrointestinal system
ClearEffect 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.
Toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate and polylactic acid nanoplastics, pristine and weathered in environmentally-relevant conditions, to human intestinal cells representative of genetic susceptibility to Crohn's disease
Scientists tested tiny plastic particles from common materials like plastic bottles (PET) and biodegradable plastics (PLA) on human intestinal cells, including cells from people genetically prone to inflammatory bowel disease. The plastic particles did get absorbed by the cells, but they didn't cause significant damage or toxicity, even when the plastics had been weathered by environmental conditions. This suggests that short-term exposure to these nanoplastics may not pose major immediate health risks to our digestive system, though more research is needed on long-term effects.
Uptake and cellular effects of PE, PP, PET and PVC microplastic particles
Researchers tested intestinal uptake and cytotoxicity of PE, PP, PET, and PVC microplastic particles using human cell lines and found that 1–4 µm polyethylene particles crossed the intestinal epithelium at significantly higher rates than polystyrene, though cytotoxic effects only appeared at concentrations far above realistic dietary exposure.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoparticles and the physiological effect on intestinal tissue contraction. Ex-vivo approaches
Researchers tested PET nanoplastic particles on rat intestinal tissue and found that the particles quickly crossed the intestinal barrier and accumulated in the tissue. At certain concentrations, the nanoplastics disrupted normal muscle contractions involved in digestion. This is one of the first studies to directly show that plastic nanoparticles can penetrate the gut wall and interfere with intestinal function, suggesting a potential health risk from ingesting nanoplastics in food and water.
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.
Sub-chronic oral exposure to PET nanoplastics: Histopathological effects on ileum, liver, and kidney
Researchers exposed rats to PET nanoplastics orally over a sub-chronic period and assessed histopathological changes in the ileum and other tissues. PET nanoplastics caused structural damage to intestinal tissue at doses relevant to human dietary exposure scenarios.
Bioenergetic effects of pristine and ultraviolet-weathered polydisperse polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene nanoplastics on human intestinal Caco-2 cells
Researchers studied how pristine and UV-weathered nanoplastics made from PET and polystyrene affect the energy-producing functions of human intestinal cells. They found that weathered nanoplastics, which better represent what people actually encounter, caused measurable changes in cellular energy metabolism at concentrations relevant to real-world exposure. The study provides early evidence that nanoplastic exposure may interfere with how human gut cells generate energy.
Sub-chronic oral exposure to PET nanoplastics: Histopathological effects on ileum, liver, and kidney
Researchers conducted a sub-chronic oral exposure study in rats using PET nanoplastics, examining histopathological changes in the ileum and other intestinal tissues. PET nanoplastic exposure caused significant structural damage to the intestinal lining at doses relevant to estimated human dietary exposure.
Uptake and Effects of Micro‐, Submicro‐ and Nanoplastics Investigated on in vitro Models of the Intestinal Barrier and the Liver
Researchers investigated the uptake and toxic effects of micro-, submicro-, and nanoplastics using in vitro models of the intestinal barrier and liver to assess how plastic particles of different sizes interact with gastrointestinal and hepatic cells. The study examined cellular internalization, barrier integrity, and metabolic responses to characterize size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.
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.
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.
Genotoxicity of Particles From Grinded Plastic Items in Caco-2 and HepG2 Cells
Researchers ground real-life plastic food containers into nano-sized particles and tested their effects on human intestinal and liver cell lines. The study found that nanoplastics from transparent PET containers produced a modest increase in DNA strand breaks, though no significant cytotoxicity or oxidative stress was observed, suggesting potential genotoxic effects warrant further investigation.
Foodborne PET Microplastic Contamination Compromises Intestinal Barrier through a Mitochondrial-AMPK-DNA Damage Pathway
Researchers evaluated the toxicity of gastrointestinal-digested PET microplastics in a human intestinal cell model and found they triggered oxidative stress, barrier disruption, and inflammatory cytokine dysregulation. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the damage occurred through a mitochondrial-AMPK-DNA damage pathway. The study suggests that foodborne PET microplastics may compromise intestinal barrier integrity through specific molecular mechanisms.
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.
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.
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.
An inverted in vitro triple culture model of the healthy and inflamed intestine: Adverse effects of polyethylene particles.
Using a laboratory model of the human intestinal lining, researchers tested how polyethylene microplastics affect intestinal cells and found they disrupted the barrier function of the gut wall. A compromised intestinal barrier allows larger molecules and particles to pass into the body, which could amplify the health effects of microplastic ingestion.
Potential health impact of environmental micro‐ and nanoplastics pollution
This review examines the potential health impacts of micro- and nanoplastic pollution on humans, focusing on oral and inhalation exposure routes. The study discusses how the potential toxicity of plastic particles arises from the plastics themselves, leachable chemical additives, and adsorbed environmental contaminants. Evidence indicates that the primary health concerns involve gastrointestinal and liver effects, with oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism disruption as key toxicological mechanisms.
Toxicity of true-to-life microplastics to human iPSC-derived intestinal epithelia correlates to their protein corona composition
Using a human intestinal cell model, researchers showed that real-world microplastics from common products (like PET bottles and PVC) damaged the gut lining, increased harmful reactive oxygen species, and triggered inflammatory immune responses. Importantly, the standard polystyrene microplastics commonly used in lab studies did not cause these effects, suggesting that most research may be underestimating the true danger of microplastics. The type of protein coating that forms on each plastic's surface in the body determines how toxic it is to the gut.
Gastrointestinal digestion potentiates nanoplastic-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and macrophage-driven inflammation
Researchers studied how the digestive process changes nanoplastics and affects their toxicity in the gut. They found that simulated gastrointestinal digestion altered the surface properties of polystyrene, PVC, and PET nanoplastics, making them more readily absorbed by intestinal cells and triggering stronger inflammatory responses. The study suggests that the way our bodies process nanoplastics during digestion may actually increase their potential to disrupt the gut barrier and cause inflammation.
Oral exposure to micro- and nanoplastics generated from polyethylene terephthalate suppresses acute intestinal damage in vivo
Researchers generated environmentally realistic PET micro- and nanoplastics through UV-assisted mechanical fragmentation and found that oral exposure to these irregularly shaped particles unexpectedly suppressed acute intestinal inflammation in a mouse colitis model by downregulating JAK-STAT and NF-κB immune pathways.
Impact of polyethylene nanoplastics on human intestinal cells
Researchers tested the effects of polyethylene nanoplastics on human intestinal cell lines and found that particles prepared with cationic chemical initiators caused significant cell damage, oxidative stress, and DNA damage over time. Cells that produce a protective mucus layer were largely unaffected, suggesting that mucus may serve as a natural defense. The findings indicate that the surface chemistry of nanoplastics, not just their size, plays a critical role in determining their toxicity to gut tissue.
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.
Micro and nano-plastics, a threat to human health?
This review examines the threat micro- and nanoplastics pose to human health, discussing how these persistent particles accumulate in organs including lungs, the gastrointestinal system, and blood, and how their chemical composition and size influence toxicity.