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Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Microplastic accumulation in fibrotic intestinal tissue and mesenteric adipose tissue in Crohn's disease patients
Fengfei Wu1, Fangting Wu1, Xi Liu1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Gastroenterology of Guangdong Province, Department of Gastroenterology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Crohn's disease (CD) patients exhibit heightened vulnerability to environmental triggers. However, the impact of microplastics (MPs) on CD remains unexplored. This study investigates MPs in ileal segments and mesenteric adipose tissue from CD patients. We recruited paired involved and adjacent uninvolved ileal segments, along with attached creeping fat (CF) and adjacent uninvolved mesenteric adipose tissue (CD-MAT) samples to assess MPs exposure of CD patients. Using laser infrared imaging spectrometer, we identified 12 types of MPs, including Chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), Acrylate copolymer (ACR), Fluororubber, and Polyethylene (PE). MP concentrations were correlated positively with the severity of intestinal fibrosis. Laser Direct Infrared spectroscopy revealed that 31.96% of MPs were 20-50 μm in size. Our findings underscored that the high-risk practices, such as frequent invasive gastrointestinal tract examinations, exacerbated of MPs accumulation in fibrotic intestines. We detected a parallel change in the concentrations of MPs at the lesion sites, with a significant increase observed compared to the surrounding tissues. When compared to CD-MAT and uninvolved ileum, the concentration ratios of PU and AUR were higher in the more fibrotic regions of CF and involved ileum, whereas CPE and Fluororubber exhibited a concurrent decrease. This suggests that MPs can penetrate the epithelial barrier and enter both fibrotic intestines and CF. This study provided the first evidence of widespread MP contamination in the fibrotic intestine and adjacent mesenteric adipose tissue of CD patients, correlating with fibrosis severity and might function as an exacerbating factor in the development of CF and fibrotic intestines.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) accumulate in the fibrotic intestines of Crohn's disease (CD) patients, with higher concentrations linked to increased intestinal fibrosis. Invasive procedures may worsen MP accumulation in the gut.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Environmental Health
- Materials Science
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) patients are susceptible to environmental factors.
- The role of microplastics (MPs) in CD pathogenesis is unknown.
- MPs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with potential health impacts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in the intestinal tissue and mesenteric adipose tissue of Crohn's disease (CD) patients.
- To determine the correlation between MP contamination and the severity of intestinal fibrosis in CD.
- To explore potential sources and mechanisms of MP accumulation in the CD gut.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired involved and uninvolved ileal segments and adjacent mesenteric adipose tissue from CD patients.
- Identification and quantification of MPs using laser infrared imaging spectrometry and laser direct infrared spectroscopy.
- Correlation analysis between MP concentrations, MP size distribution, and the degree of intestinal fibrosis.
Main Results:
- Widespread contamination by 12 types of MPs (e.g., Chlorinated polyethylene, Acrylate copolymer) was detected in CD patient tissues.
- MP concentrations positively correlated with the severity of intestinal fibrosis.
- Frequent invasive gastrointestinal examinations were identified as a potential factor exacerbating MP accumulation in fibrotic intestines.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence of significant microplastic contamination in the fibrotic intestines and associated adipose tissue of Crohn's disease patients.
- Microplastics may penetrate the epithelial barrier and contribute to the exacerbation of intestinal fibrosis and creeping fat in CD.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which MPs influence CD progression.
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