Micro- and nanoplastics: A new cardiovascular risk factor?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants.
• Existing research highlights MNP toxicity, but cardiovascular effects remain understudied, especially in humans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent data on micro- and nanoplastic cardiovascular toxicity and mechanisms.
• To identify knowledge gaps and recommend future research directions for realistic health risk assessment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 46 articles published in the last 10 years.
• Analysis of data on MNP absorption, distribution, aggregation, and toxicity in circulatory systems of animals and human cells.

Main Results:

• MNPs cause direct cardiac toxicity (arrhythmia, fibrosis) and vascular damage (hemolysis, thrombosis, endothelial injury).
• Key mechanisms include oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis.
• Cardiovascular toxicity is influenced by MNP properties, exposure conditions, and organismal factors.

Conclusions:

• MNPs pose significant risks to cardiovascular health through various mechanisms.
• Limited data on MNP ADME and lack of standardized testing hinder risk assessment.
• Further research is crucial for understanding and mitigating MNP-related cardiovascular risks.