Microplastics may travel from gut to brain, new study finds

Microplastics are prevalent in our environment, raising major concerns about their impact on human and animal health. 

A recent study in Environmental Health Perspectives revealed how consuming these tiny plastic particles are finding their way into human bodies and their presence in human brains.

According to the study authors, ingested microplastics spread from the gut to the brain, liver, and kidneys.

The entrance point could be by skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion (via trophic transfer or infected food).

“Our findings recommend 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 said.

“The implications of our findings for human health are substantial.”

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, are now widely found in our environment, contaminating soil, food, and water.

The study authors attempted to duplicate 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.

Alarmingly, researchers detected microplastics in the brain, liver, and kidneys of exposed mice. This discovery suggests that microplastics can travel beyond the gut and potentially reach distant organs throughout the body.

After microplastic exposure, they also found that specific metabolic changes occurred in the colon, liver, and brain.

“By exposing mice to levels of microplastics similar to human ingestion, we discovered that these particles can indeed migrate from the gut into organs such as the liver, kidney, and brain,” Garcia explained.

Microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics that enter the brain may disrupt its delicate functions. This disruption can lead to a series of problems, including loss of brain cells, abnormal protein failure and communication issues between neurons. 

The overall consequence could be the development or worsening of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or even problems with brain development in children.

(With inputs from agencies)