The Impact of Microplastics in Food and Drugs on Human Health: A Review of the MENA Region DOI Open Access

Noha Alziny,

Fadya M. Elgarhy, Asmaa Eldesouky Mohamed

et al.

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.

Language: Английский

Lycopene supplement mitigates polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs)-induced reproductive alteration in rats via modulation of steroidogenic enzymes, inhibition of apoptosis and oxido-inflammatory reaction DOI Creative Commons

Oyovwi Mega Obukohwo,

Abodunrin Adebayo Ojetola, Ohwin Peggy Ejiro

et al.

Kuwait Journal of Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51(3), P. 100244 - 100244

Published: May 10, 2024

Increasing levels of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in the environment poses huge global health threat. Prolonged exposure to PS-MPs results both male and female infertility, with a deleterious effect on reproductive health. In rats, disruptive effects chemotoxicants have been countered by lycopene (LYC). This study examined protective benefits (LYC) against spermatological damage hormonal alterations brought rats. Twenty Wistar rats were split into four groups five each consisting of: control group, PSMPs treatment + LYC co-treatment supplementation group. Severe testicular histological was seen resulted from PS-MPs. The dramatically reduced antioxidant enzyme activities while raising ROS MDA, thus reducing sperm progressive motility. Also, also prevented conclusion, has ability reduce harmful system. Accordingly, PS-MPs-induced changes via its anti-oxidant, androgenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory properties.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Interactions Between Biochar and Nano(Micro)Plastics in the Remediation of Aqueous Media DOI Creative Commons
S. C. Cairns,

Diana Meza-Rojas,

Peter J. Holliman

et al.

International Journal of Environmental Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 18(5)

Published: July 25, 2024

Abstract Plastic is a material that has become ubiquitous since entering the marketplace in 1930s and 1940s; as result, presence of nano microplastics (NMPs) are pervasive natural environments affecting air, soil water ecosystems. These NMPs varied size (categorised either at 5 mm–1 µm or nanoplastics < 1 µm), shape chemical composition. They represent potential threat to aquatic life human health through ingestion inhalation. The toxicity attributed additives introduced during production absorbance inorganic organic contaminants environmental settings. This review designed discuss use biochar adsorbent for remediation contaminated with NMPs. Biochar sustainable, affordable which can remediate contribute ecosystem restoration. Whilst it well established sorb contaminants, its remove infancy such this sets out outline mechanisms modifications from aqueous environments. Although removal laboratory settings becoming clearer highlights remediative studies need be undertaken conjunction systematic investigation effect key parameters on environmentally aged future direction discipline also needs incorporate field trials alongside work develop stronger understanding viability waterways.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Investigation of Cell-to-cell Transfer of Polystyrene Microplastics Through Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Communication. DOI
Nara Kim, Joo Hyun Park, Inha Lee

et al.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 734, P. 150719 - 150719

Published: Sept. 24, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Solar thermoplasmonic convection for sustainable removal of microplastics DOI

Suqin Zhang,

Qingyuan Liu, Ting Chen

et al.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 282, P. 113416 - 113416

Published: Jan. 11, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Impact of Microplastics in Food and Drugs on Human Health: A Review of the MENA Region DOI Open Access

Noha Alziny,

Fadya M. Elgarhy, Asmaa Eldesouky Mohamed

et al.

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.

Language: Английский

Citations

0