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Gut & Microbiome
5,334 resultsIngested Microscopic Plastic Translocates to the Circulatory System of the Mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.)
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Researchers discovered that microplastic particles ingested by mussels can move from the gut into the circulatory system within three days and persist in the body for over 48 days. Smaller particles accumulated more readily than larger ones, suggesting that as plastic debris breaks down into ever-smaller fragments in the environment, the potential for it to build up inside living organisms increases.
Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of both pelagic and demersal fish species and found microplastics in individuals from both groups, suggesting that microplastic ingestion occurs across fish species regardless of their position in the water column.
Uptake and Accumulation of Polystyrene Microplastics in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Toxic Effects in Liver
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes and tracked where the particles accumulated in the body. They found that smaller particles (5 micrometers) built up in the gills, liver, and gut, while larger particles (20 micrometers) mainly stayed in the gills and gut. The microplastics caused liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and disrupted fat metabolism, suggesting that ingested microplastics can damage internal organs in fish.
Microplastic as a Vector for Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment: Critical Review and Model-Supported Reinterpretation of Empirical Studies
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Researchers critically reviewed the widespread hypothesis that microplastics transfer harmful chemicals to marine animals after being ingested. Using new modeling calculations, they found that for most organisms in most scenarios, the contribution of microplastics to chemical exposure is actually very small compared to what animals absorb through water and food. The study suggests that while microplastics are a legitimate environmental concern, their role as a significant chemical delivery vehicle has been overstated in much of the scientific literature.
Microplastic is an Abundant and Distinct Microbial Habitat in an Urban River
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Researchers demonstrated that microplastic surfaces in an urban river host a microbial community that is distinct from surrounding water and sediment communities, establishing microplastic as an abundant and ecologically distinct habitat for river microorganisms.
Microplastic particles cause intestinal damage and other adverse effects in zebrafish Danio rerio and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
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Researchers exposed zebrafish and nematodes to five common types of microplastics and found that several types caused intestinal damage, including cracking of the gut lining. In nematodes, microplastics significantly reduced survival, body length, and reproduction, with 1-micrometer particles causing the most severe effects. The findings suggest that intestinal damage and oxidative stress are primary mechanisms through which microplastics harm aquatic organisms.
Impacts of Biofilm Formation on the Fate and Potential Effects of Microplastic in the Aquatic Environment
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Researchers reviewed how biofilm formation on microplastic surfaces affects the fate and potential ecological effects of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that biofilms alter particle buoyancy, surface chemistry, and interactions with organisms.
Potential Health Impact of Environmentally Released Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Human Food Production Chain: Experiences from Nanotoxicology
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This review assesses the potential for micro- and nanoplastics to enter the human food chain, drawing on evidence from studies of food production and related biological systems. Researchers found that while larger microplastics are unlikely to be absorbed by the human body, nanoplastics may be small enough to cross biological barriers and accumulate in tissues. The study highlights that much remains unknown about real-world human exposure levels and calls for more research into the health implications of these tiny particles in food.
Microplastics in the Terrestrial Ecosystem: Implications forLumbricus terrestris(Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae)
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This study is one of the first to investigate microplastic effects on a terrestrial organism, exposing earthworms to polyethylene particles mixed into leaf litter at various concentrations. Researchers found that while the earthworms survived all exposure levels, those exposed to the highest concentrations showed significant weight loss over the experimental period. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination of soils could affect the health and functioning of earthworms, which play a vital role in maintaining soil quality.
Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: Effects of Treatment
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This study examined the effects of various sewage sludge treatment processes on microplastic content, finding that treatment methods differ substantially in their ability to reduce microplastic concentrations before sludge is disposed of or land-applied.
Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Synthetic Plastics
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This review examines microorganisms and enzymes that show promise for breaking down common synthetic plastics like polyethylene, PET, and polystyrene. While natural biodegradation of these materials is extremely slow, researchers have identified certain bacteria, fungi, and enzymes that can accelerate the process, pointing toward potential biological solutions for plastic pollution.
Impacts of polystyrene microplastic on the gut barrier, microbiota and metabolism of mice
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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.
Investigating microplastic trophic transfer in marine top predators
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Researchers investigated whether microplastics can transfer through the food chain by analyzing the scat of captive grey seals and the wild mackerel they were fed. They found microplastics in about half of the seal scat samples and a third of the fish, with similar particle types in both. The study suggests that trophic transfer is a plausible route for microplastics to move up marine food chains to top predators.
Polystyrene microplastics induce gut microbiota dysbiosis and hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in mice
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Researchers fed mice two sizes of polystyrene microplastics for five weeks and observed significant disruption of gut bacteria and changes in liver fat metabolism. The microplastics decreased mucus production in the gut and shifted the balance of key bacterial populations at multiple taxonomic levels. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can trigger gut microbiota imbalance in mammals, which may in turn affect metabolic health.
Threat of plastic pollution to seabirds is global, pervasive, and increasing
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Researchers performed a global spatial risk analysis combining ocean plastic distribution data with the ranges of 186 seabird species to assess which birds face the greatest threat from plastic ingestion. They found that nearly 60% of all seabird species have been documented with plastic in their guts, and predicted that 99% of species will be affected by 2050 at current trends. The study identifies the Southern Ocean as a particular hotspot of risk where high plastic concentrations overlap with diverse and vulnerable seabird populations.
Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices
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Researchers tested four common laboratory methods for extracting microplastics from complex samples like soil and sewage sludge to determine which best preserves the plastic particles during analysis. They found that Fenton's reagent was the most effective approach, successfully removing organic matter without damaging the plastic particles. The study provides important methodological guidance for standardizing microplastic research in challenging sample types.
Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with particular focus on seafood
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This assessment by the European Food Safety Authority reviews what is known about microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with a focus on seafood. Researchers found that while microplastics are present in many commercially important fish and shellfish species, most particles concentrate in the gut, which is typically removed before consumption. The study notes that nanoplastics remain poorly understood and highlights the need for better detection methods and exposure data to evaluate potential risks to human health.
Microplastics induce intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and disorders of metabolome and microbiome in zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics for 21 days and found significant intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruption of both the gut microbiome and metabolic processes. The microplastics altered the balance of beneficial and harmful gut bacteria and changed the levels of key metabolites involved in energy and amino acid metabolism. The study provides detailed evidence that microplastic ingestion can cause widespread disruption to gut health in aquatic organisms.
Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health
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This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics can enter the human body through the gut, lungs, and skin, and what potential health effects they might cause at the cellular level. While there is growing evidence that these particles trigger toxic responses in cells, research into their specific effects inside the human body is still limited. The paper calls for more studies on how nanoplastics in particular move through human tissue barriers and what long-term damage they may cause.
Accumulation of different shapes of microplastics initiates intestinal injury and gut microbiota dysbiosis in the gut of zebrafish
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to three different shapes of microplastics and found that fibers and fragments accumulated more in the gut than beads, causing greater intestinal injury and disruption of gut bacteria. The shape of the microplastic particles significantly influenced both how much accumulated and the severity of the biological harm. The study suggests that microplastic shape is an important factor in assessing their environmental and health risks.
Microplastics in wild fish from North East Atlantic Ocean and its potential for causing neurotoxic effects, lipid oxidative damage, and human health risks associated with ingestion exposure
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three commercially important fish species from the North East Atlantic Ocean and found that 49% of the 150 fish analyzed contained microplastics. Fish with microplastics showed significantly higher levels of lipid damage in the brain, gills, and muscle, along with signs of neurotoxicity. Based on the microplastics found in edible fish muscle, the study estimates that human consumers may ingest hundreds of microplastic particles per year from fish consumption alone.
Toxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Mammalian Systems
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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.
Polystyrene microplastics induce microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation in the gut of adult zebrafish
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polystyrene microplastics of two different sizes for 14 days and found significant disruptions to the gut microbiome, including shifts in key bacterial populations. Smaller microplastic particles also triggered inflammatory responses in the gut, with elevated levels of inflammatory markers at both the gene and protein level. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion can disturb gut bacteria balance and cause intestinal inflammation in aquatic organisms.
Microplastic litter composition of the Turkish territorial waters of the Mediterranean Sea, and its occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract of fish
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Researchers analyzed microplastic litter composition in Turkish territorial waters of the Mediterranean, documenting polymer types, shapes, and sizes and identifying textiles and packaging as dominant plastic sources.