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Tissue-specific distribution of microplastics in human blood and carotid plaques: A paired sample analysis
Cancan Cui1, Zheng Guo2, Yanxi Liu1
1China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Jilin, China.
Backgrounds:
Microplastics (MPs) have been increasingly detected in human tissues, raising concerns about their role in cardiovascular disease. However, their distribution in matched blood and vascular tissues, such as atherosclerotic plaques, remains poorly understood.
Methods:
Paired blood and carotid plaque samples were analyzed for 12 polymer types of MPs using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry among twenty patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
Results:
The mean concentration of total MPs was 75.2 μg/g in blood and 432.9 μg/g in plaque. Polyethylene (PE) dominated blood samples (46.5 %), followed by polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 16.8 %) and styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR, 16.3 %). In plaques, MPs were more evenly distributed, with polypropylene (PP, 23.1 %), PE (20.3 %), SBR (19.8 %), and PVC (18.5 %) being most common. Distinct clustering patterns were observed within each tissue, with a moderate paired correlation for total MPs (r = 0.30). Stronger correlations were found for polyurethane (PU, ρ = 0.91) and ABS (ρ = 0.54), while PC showed a negative correlation (ρ = -0.45). Several MPs were associated with lipid biomarkers, e.g., plaque PP was associated with lower HDL-C.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight tissue-specific MPs accumulation patterns and suggest the associations between MPs exposure and circulating lipid markers.
Insights
Microplastics accumulate differently in blood and atherosclerotic plaques, with distinct polymer types found in each. This study reveals tissue-specific accumulation and potential links between microplastic exposure and blood lipid markers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly found in human tissues.
- Concerns exist regarding their role in cardiovascular disease.
- MP distribution in matched blood and vascular tissues is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of MPs in paired human blood and carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
- To identify specific polymer types and their concentrations in these tissues.
- To explore correlations between MPs in blood and plaque, and their association with lipid biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of paired blood and carotid plaque samples from twenty patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
- Quantification of 12 polymer types of MPs using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Mean MP concentration was significantly higher in plaques (432.9 μg/g) than in blood (75.2 μg/g).
- Polyethylene (PE) dominated blood, while plaques showed a more even distribution of polypropylene (PP), PE, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
- Tissue-specific MP accumulation patterns were observed, with moderate correlation for total MPs and stronger correlations for specific polymers like polyurethane (PU) and ABS. Plaque PP was associated with lower HDL-C.
Conclusions:
- MP accumulation patterns differ significantly between blood and atherosclerotic plaque tissues.
- Findings suggest potential associations between microplastic exposure and circulating lipid markers, warranting further investigation into their cardiovascular implications.
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