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Polystyrene microplastics exposure: Disruption of intestinal barrier integrity and hepatic function in infant mice
Huan Li1, Shimin Xu2, Feng Zhou3
1School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; School of Engineering, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
Insights
Infant exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) from formula causes intestinal and liver damage. Even low levels disrupt the gut barrier and alter gut bacteria, posing a significant health risk to infants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly found in infant products, posing potential health risks.
- Infants are particularly vulnerable due to immature intestinal and liver functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the health effects of polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) exposure in early life.
- To assess toxicity at environmentally relevant and elevated concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Histological analysis
- In vivo imaging
- Biochemical analysis
- 16S rRNA sequencing in infant mice
Main Results:
- Oral PSMPs exposure caused dose-dependent intestinal barrier impairment and hepatic injury.
- Low PSMP concentrations (20 ppb) disrupted mucus secretion, increased iFABP, decreased sIgA, and damaged intestinal tissue.
- PSMPs accumulated in tissues, leaked into blood, and induced hepatotoxicity (increased TG, lipid droplets).
- PSMPs altered gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria and increasing pathogens.
Conclusions:
- PSMPs pose a significant risk to infant health, even at low environmental concentrations.
- Early-life exposure can lead to severe gastrointestinal and liver toxicity.
- Further vigilance is needed regarding microplastic contamination in infant products.
Abstract:
The pervasive presence of microplastics (MPs) in infant formula and care products has emerged as a significant and underappreciated risk to public health. Notably, infants are at an elevated risk due to their underdeveloped intestinal defenses and liver detoxification capabilities, factors that could heighten their vulnerability to MPs. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the health implications linked to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) exposure during early life, examining both environmentally plausible and elevated levels. Based on histological analysis, in vivo imaging analysis, biochemical analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing results, our study found that oral PSMPs exposure in infant mice led to profound toxicological consequences, such as intestinal barrier impairment and hepatic injury, in a dose-dependent manner. Strikingly, even low ambient concentration of PSMPs (20 ppb) was sufficient to inflict considerable harm, disrupting the intestinal barrier, manifested that lessened mucus secretion, elevated iFABP level (276.50±10.73 pg/mL), decreased sIgA levels (0.60±0.03 mg/g), and pathological damage of intestinal tissues, allowing PSMPs accumulation and leakage into blood, inducing hepatotoxicity, such as increased TG levels (0.99±0.05 mmol/gprot) and lipid droplet accumulation. Furthermore, PSMPs exposure gives rise to aberrant bacterial colonization, dropping the abundance of probiotics as well as altering the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, which may contribute to the toxicity outcomes. The study underscores the critical need for vigilance regarding the insidious effects of PSMPs at environmental-relevant concentrations, especially in the context of infant exposure.
