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Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Assessing Functional Metrics of Skeletal Muscle Health in Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues
Published on: February 18, 2021
The Effects of Microplastics on Musculoskeletal Disorder; A Narrative Review
Hiroyori Fusagawa1, Alex Youn2, Elyse Wilkerson3,4
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, 1500 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Hiroyori.Fusagawa@ucsf.edu.
Purpose Of Review:
The physical health impacts of microplastics have received increasing attention in recent years. However, limited data impedes a full understanding of the internal exposure to microplastics, especially concerning the musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature regarding the effects of microplastics on the musculoskeletal system.
Recent Findings:
Microplastics have been shown to cause abnormal endochondral ossification and disrupt the normal function of pre-osteoblasts, osteocyte-like cells, and pre-osteoclasts through gene mutations, endoplasmic reticulum stress induction, and reduced autophagosome formation in bone growth areas. Although there are few reports on their effects on muscle, it has been noted that microplastics inhibit energy and lipid metabolism, decrease type I muscle fiber density, impair muscle angiogenesis, cause muscle atrophy, and increase lipid deposition. Only a few recent studies have shown that microplastics interfere with the normal function of bone growth-related cells and reduce muscle mass and quality. This review underscores the need for further research into other parts of the musculoskeletal system and studies using human tissues at the disease level.
Insights
Microplastics negatively impact bone development and muscle health by disrupting cellular functions and metabolism. Further research is needed to understand their full effects on the musculoskeletal system.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Growing concern over the physical health impacts of microplastics.
- Limited understanding of microplastic internal exposure, particularly on the musculoskeletal system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize recent literature on the effects of microplastics on the musculoskeletal system.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on microplastic exposure and musculoskeletal tissues.
Main Results:
- Microplastics disrupt bone growth by affecting osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts via gene mutations and cellular stress.
- Evidence suggests microplastics inhibit muscle metabolism, reduce muscle fiber density, impair angiogenesis, cause atrophy, and increase lipid deposition.
- Recent studies indicate interference with bone growth cells and reduced muscle mass and quality.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics pose a threat to musculoskeletal health, impacting both bone and muscle.
- Further investigation is required for other musculoskeletal components and human tissue studies at the disease level.
