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Isolation of Tissue Extracellular Vesicles from the Liver
Published on: August 21, 2019
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Microplastics detected in cirrhotic liver tissue
Thomas Horvatits1, Matthias Tamminga2, Beibei Liu1
1I. Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Ebiomedicine
|July 14, 2022
Summary
Microplastics (MPs) accumulate in human liver tissue, particularly in patients with liver cirrhosis. This study detected six different MP polymers in cirrhotic livers, highlighting a potential link between MPs and liver disease.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Human Health
Background:
- Microplastic (MP) contamination is widespread in ecosystems and has been detected in human tissues.
- The accumulation of MPs in peripheral organs, especially the liver, and the influence of liver cirrhosis on this process remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in human liver tissue.
- To determine if liver cirrhosis affects MP accumulation in the liver.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of liver, kidney, and spleen tissue samples from patients with and without liver cirrhosis.
- Development of a method to detect MPs (4–30 µm) using chemical digestion, Nile red staining, fluorescent microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- No MPs were detected in liver, kidney, or spleen samples from individuals without liver disease.
- Significantly higher MP concentrations were found in cirrhotic liver tissues compared to non-cirrhotic liver samples.
- Six distinct microplastic polymers were identified in the liver tissues of patients with cirrhosis.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics were detected in human liver tissue, specifically in individuals with liver cirrhosis.
- The findings suggest a potential association between liver cirrhosis and hepatic MP accumulation.
- Further research is required to elucidate the role of MP accumulation in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis pathogenesis.
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