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Microplastic effects on mouse colon in normal and colitis conditions: A literature review
Natalia Zolotova1, Dzhuliia Dzhalilova1, Ivan Tsvetkov1
1Department of Immunomorphology of Inflammation, Avtsyn Research Institute of Human Morphology of Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Petrovsky National Research Centre of Surgery", Moscow, Russia.
Background:
Taking into account the global spread of microplastic (MP) pollution, the problem of the MP impact on human health is relevant. MP enters the organism predominantly with water and food, and is mostly detected in the large intestine. Therefore, the connection between MP pollution and the increase in colitis is an important question. In order to assess the toxic and pathogenetic effects of MP, experimental studies were actively conducted during recent years, mainly on laboratory mice.
Objectives:
The aim of our review was to summarize and systematize the data on the MP effect on mice colon under normal conditions and during colitis in order to assess the role of MP in the development of intestinal diseases. This manuscript could be relevant for ecologists, experimental biologists, and physicians dealing with problems related to anthropogenic environmental changes and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Survey Methodology:
The search was conducted based on PubMed data about original experimental studies of the MP effects on the colon of healthy mice and mice with colitis.
Results:
In healthy mice colon, MP can cause oxidative stress, increased permeability, immune cell infiltration, production of proinflammatory factors, and decreased mucus production. MP affects proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of epithelial cells, expression of tight junction components and glycocalyx, membrane transport, signaling pathways, metabolome, and intestinal microflora composition. In mice with acute and chronic experimental colitis, MP consumption leads to a more pronounced pathological process course.
Conclusions:
MP may be one of the factors contributing to the development of colitis in humans. However, further research is needed.
