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Isolation and Differentiation of Stromal Vascular Cells to Beige/Brite Cells
Published on: March 28, 2013
Polystyrene microplastics impair brown and beige adipocyte function via the gut microbiota-adipose tissue crosstalk
Guangning Kou1, Shuai Yao2, Amin Ullah3
1Centre for Nutritional Ecology and Centre for Sport Nutrition and Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China.
Background:
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in the environment and food. The potential health hazards of this emerging pollutant have raised significant concerns in recent years. However, the underlying mechanism by which MPs have any impact on brown and beige adipocytes in the context of obesity is yet to be investigated.
Methods:
The C57BL/6 J mice were randomly assigned to the HFD and HFD+MPs group for 12 weeks of exposure to explore the differences in brown and beige adipocyte function. The gut microbiota analysis, fecal microbiota transplantation and metabolomic profiling were carried out to further determine its potential mechanism.
Results:
The present work demonstrated that high-fat diet mice accumulate lipids and have reduced energy expenditure after three months of oral administration of MPs. In addition to escalating intestinal dysbiosis, exposing HFD mice to MPs induces thermogenic dysfunction in inguinal white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue. Following the fecal microbiota transplantation, the accumulation of lipids and dysfunction in energy expenditure within the microbiota of recipient mice further elucidated the inhibitory effect of MPs.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that MPs induced the thermogenic dysfunction of BAT and iWAT by affecting gut microbiota composition. The present study highlights the mechanisms by which MPs produce thermogenic dysfunction in BAT and iWAT and disruption in the gastrointestinal microbiota.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) disrupt gut microbiota, leading to lipid accumulation and reduced energy expenditure in mice. This study reveals how MPs impair brown and beige adipocyte function, impacting obesity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants with emerging health concerns.
- The impact of MPs on brown and beige adipocytes, crucial for energy expenditure, remains largely unknown, especially in obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of microplastics on brown and beige adipocyte function in the context of diet-induced obesity.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, including gut microbiota alterations, by which MPs affect energy metabolism.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) with or without MPs for 12 weeks.
- Analyses included gut microbiota profiling, fecal microbiota transplantation, and metabolomics.
- Thermogenic function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) was assessed.
Main Results:
- HFD mice exposed to MPs showed increased lipid accumulation and reduced energy expenditure.
- MPs induced gut dysbiosis and thermogenic dysfunction in BAT and iWAT.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation from MP-exposed mice replicated lipid accumulation and energy expenditure deficits in recipients.
Conclusions:
- Microplastics induce thermogenic dysfunction in brown and white adipose tissues by altering gut microbiota composition.
- MPs disrupt gastrointestinal microbiota, contributing to metabolic dysfunction and potentially exacerbating obesity.
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