- Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that often make their way into many substances, including food.
- Researchers are interested in understanding how consuming microplastics may influence bodily health and functioning.
- A new study conducted in mice found that microplastics can spread from the gut to vital organs in the body, such as the brain, liver, and kidneys.
Humans and animals are often exposed to microplastics because they are present in many substances.
As researchers seek to understand the impact of microplastics, evidence is building about the effects of exposure to these substances and how that may influence health outcomes.
A study published April 10 in
According to the study authors, ingested microplastics spread from the gut to the brain, liver, and kidneys.
“Our findings suggest that microplastic exposure can lead to metabolic changes in these tissues, indicating potential systemic effects,” study author Marcus Garcia, PharmD, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, told Medical News Today.
“The implications of our findings for human health are substantial.”
Microplastics have become highly prominent in the environment, including in soil, food, and water.
The authors of the present study define microplastics as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. They wanted to find out how different types of microplastics influenced body organs in mice.
The study authors attempted to replicate consumption of microplastics in a quantity that is similar to human exposure. Mice were exposed to different amounts of polystyrene or mixed polymer microspheres through oral gastric feeding.
After mice were fed microplastics, the researchers examined serum, brain, liver, kidney, and colon tissues to identify the presence of microplastics.
Researchers identified microplastics in…
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