International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
22(3), P. 380 - 380
Published: March 5, 2025
Microplastics
(MPs),
defined
as
plastic
particles
smaller
than
5
mm,
have
emerged
a
global
environmental
and
public
health
crisis,
infiltrating
air,
water,
soil,
food
systems
worldwide.
MPs
originate
from
the
breakdown
of
larger
debris,
single-use
plastics,
industrial
processes,
entering
food.
Emerging
evidence
underscores
ability
to
cross
biological
barriers,
including
blood–brain
barrier,
triggering
neuroinflammatory
responses
contributing
neurodegenerative
diseases
such
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s.
Polystyrene
(PS),
common
type
MP,
activates
microglial
cells,
releasing
pro-inflammatory
cytokines
like
tumor
necrosis
factor
(TNF-α)
interleukins,
which
increase
neuronal
damage.
also
been
linked
cardiovascular
diseases,
with
studies
detecting
polyethylene
(PE)
polyvinyl
chloride
(PVC)
in
carotid
artery
plaques,
increasing
risk
myocardial
infarction
stroke.
Furthermore,
disrupt
endocrine
function,
alter
lipid
metabolism,
induce
gut
microbiome
imbalances,
posing
multifaceted
risks.
In
MENA
region,
MP
pollution
is
particularly
severe,
Mediterranean
Sea
receiving
an
estimated
570,000
tons
annually,
equivalent
33,800
bottles
per
minute.
Studies
Egypt,
Lebanon,
Tunisia
document
high
concentrations
marine
ecosystems,
herbivorous
fish
Siganus
rivulatus
containing
over
1000
individual
due
ingestion
contaminated
seaweed.
Despite
these
findings,
awareness
regulatory
frameworks
remain
inadequate,
only
24%
Egyptians
demonstrating
sufficient
knowledge
safe
use.
This
review
emphasizes
urgent
need
for
region-specific
research,
policy
interventions,
campaigns
address
pollution.
Recommendations
include
sustainable
waste
management
practices,
promotion
biodegradable
alternatives,
enhanced
monitoring
mitigate
impacts
region.
Toxics,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
11(2), P. 127 - 127
Published: Jan. 28, 2023
Extensive
environmental
pollution
by
microplastics
has
increased
the
risk
of
human
exposure
to
plastics.
However,
biosafety
polypropylene
(PP-MPs),
especially
PP
particles
<
10
μm,
in
mammals
not
been
studied.
Thus,
here,
we
explored
mechanism
action
and
effect
small
large
PP-MPs,
via
oral
ingestion,
on
mouse
intestinal
tract.
Male
C57BL/6
mice
were
administered
suspensions
(8
70
μm;
0.1,
1.0,
mg/mL)
for
28
days.
PP-MP
treatment
resulted
inflammatory
pathological
damage,
ultrastructural
changes
epithelial
cells,
imbalance
redox
system,
reactions
colon.
Additionally,
observed
damage
tight
junctions
colon
decreased
mucus
secretion
ion
transporter
expression.
Further,
apoptotic
rate
colonic
cells
significantly
after
treatment.
The
expression
pro-inflammatory
pro-apoptosis
proteins
tissue,
while
anti-inflammatory
anti-apoptosis
decreased.
In
summary,
this
study
demonstrates
that
PP-MPs
induce
apoptosis
barrier
through
oxidative
stress
activation
TLR4/NF-κB
signal
pathway
mice,
which
provides
new
insights
into
toxicity
MPs
mammals.
Chemosphere,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
361, P. 142380 - 142380
Published: May 18, 2024
Due
to
weather
and
working/operational
conditions,
plastic
degradation
produces
toxic
non-biodegradable
nano
microplastics
(N/M-Ps,
ranging
from
10
nm
5
mm),
over
time
these
N/M-Ps
have
integrated
with
the
human
cycle
through
ingestion
inhalation.
These
N/M-Ps,
as
serious
emerging
pollutants,
are
causing
considerable
adverse
health
issues
due
up-taken
by
cells,
tissue,
organs,
including
brain.
It
has
been
proven
that
can
cross
blood-brain
barrier
(via
olfactory
blood
vessels)
affect
secretion
of
neuroinflammatory
(cytokine
chemokine),
transporters,
receptor
markers.
Neurotoxicity,
neuroinflammation,
brain
injury,
which
may
result
in
such
scenarios
a
concern
cause
disorders.
However,
related
pathways
pathogenesis
not
well-explored
but
focus
upcoming
research.
Therefore,
this
editorial,
well-organized
multidisciplinary
research
is
required
explore
associated
pathogenesis,
leading
mapping
nano-enabled
therapeutics
acute
chronic
N/M-P
exposure.
Current Issues in Molecular Biology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
46(5), P. 4186 - 4202
Published: April 30, 2024
As
environmental
plastic
waste
degrades,
it
creates
an
abundance
of
diverse
microplastic
particles.
Consequently,
microplastics
contaminate
drinking
water
and
many
staple
food
products,
meaning
the
oral
ingestion
is
important
exposure
route
for
human
population.
Microplastics
have
long
been
considered
inert,
however
their
ability
to
promote
microbial
dysbiosis
as
well
gut
inflammation
dysfunction
suggests
they
are
more
noxious
than
first
thought.
More
alarmingly,
there
evidence
permeating
from
throughout
body,
with
adverse
effects
on
immune
nervous
systems.
Coupled
now-accepted
role
gut-brain
axis
in
neurodegeneration,
these
findings
support
hypothesis
that
this
ubiquitous
pollutant
contributing
rising
incidence
neurodegenerative
diseases,
like
Alzheimer’s
disease
Parkinson’s
disease.
This
comprehensive
narrative
review
explores
consequences
gut-brain-axis
by
considering
current
gastrointestinal
uptake
disruption,
activation,
translocation
neurological
effects.
now
a
permanent
feature
global
environment,
understanding
gut,
brain,
whole
body
will
facilitate
critical
further
research
inform
policy
changes
aimed
at
reducing
any
consequences.
