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Optimized Analysis of In Vivo and In Vitro Hepatic Steatosis
Published on: March 11, 2017
Links between fecal microplastics and parameters related to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease
Katherine J P Schwenger1, Yasaman Ghorbani2, Sharvika Bharatselvam1
1Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) can persist in the environment and human body. Murine studies showed that exposure to MPs could cause metabolic dysregulation, contributing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) or steatohepatitis (MASH). However, research on the role of MPs in humans is limited. Thus, we aimed to assess links between human fecal MPs and liver histology, gene expression, immune cells and intestinal microbiota (IM). We included 6 lean healthy liver donors and 6 normal liver (obese) and 11 MASH patients. Overall, pre-BSx, we observed no significant differences in fecal MPs between groups. However, fecal MP fibers and total MPs positively correlated with portal and total macrophages and total killer T cells while total fecal MPs were positively correlated with natural killer cells. Additionally, 19 genes related to immune system and apoptosis correlated with fecal MPs at baseline. Fecal MP fibers correlated positively with fecal Bifidobacterium and negatively with Lachnospiraceae. Patients with MASH (n = 11) were re-assessed 12-months post-bariatric surgery (BSx) and we found that those with persistent disease (n = 4) had higher fecal MP fragments than those with normalized liver histology (n = 7). At 12-month post-BSx, MP fragments positively correlated with helper T cells and total MPs positively correlated with natural killer T cells and B cells. Our study is the first to look at 1) the role of MPs in MASH and its association with IM, immune cells and hepatic gene expression and 2) look at the role of MPs longitudinally in MASH persistence following BSx. Future research should further explore this relationship.
Insights
Human fecal microplastics (MPs) correlate with immune cells and liver health markers in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MASH). Persistent MASH patients showed higher MP fragments post-surgery, suggesting MPs may impact liver disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) persist in the environment and human body, with murine studies linking them to metabolic dysregulation and liver disease.
- Human research on the role of microplastics in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/MASH) is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between human fecal microplastics (MPs) and liver histology, gene expression, immune cells, and intestinal microbiota (IM) in lean healthy donors, obese individuals, and MASH patients.
- To explore the longitudinal role of MPs in MASH persistence following bariatric surgery (BSx).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal MPs in lean healthy donors (n=6), obese individuals (n=6), and MASH patients (n=11) before and 12 months after bariatric surgery (BSx).
- Correlation analysis of fecal MPs with liver histology, hepatic gene expression, immune cell populations (macrophages, T cells, B cells, NK cells), and intestinal microbiota composition.
- Comparison of fecal MP levels between MASH patients with persistent disease versus those with normalized liver histology post-BSx.
Main Results:
- Pre-surgery, no significant differences in fecal MPs were observed between groups. However, fecal MP fibers and total MPs correlated positively with portal/total macrophages, total killer T cells, and natural killer cells.
- Fecal MPs correlated with 19 immune/apoptosis-related genes and showed associations with specific intestinal bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lachnospiraceae).
- Post-BSx, MASH patients with persistent disease had higher fecal MP fragments compared to those with normalized histology. MP fragments and total MPs correlated with helper T cells, natural killer T cells, and B cells.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence linking human fecal MPs to MASH, associated immune cell profiles, and intestinal microbiota.
- Fecal microplastic fragments may play a role in MASH persistence following bariatric surgery.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex relationship between microplastics and liver disease pathogenesis.
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