Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Protein Digestion, Ultrafiltration, and Size Exclusion Chromatography to Optimize the Isolation of Exosomes from Human Blood Plasma and Serum
Published on: April 13, 2018
Can Plasma Exchange Be Used to Lower the Circulating Burden of Microplastics in Human Patients?
Robert Weinstein1,2, Zehra Stara Yuksel2, Christina Anderson2
1Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract:
Microplastic particles (MP) from industrial products and degradation of plastic waste are ubiquitous in our environment and convey serious potential risks to human health. There is currently no established method for removing MP from the human body. MP circulate in the blood and have been found in the eluate plasma from double filtration plasmapheresis procedures, suggesting that plasmapheresis could be used to remove MP from the body. We have measured circulating MP in the blood of 114 patients before and after 174 1-plasma-volume therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures using the Spectra Optia Apheresis System and have shown that circulating MP are reduced by TPE. The reduction is obscured at low starting levels of MP because of leaching of MP back into the circulation from the plastic apheresis tubing set. Nonetheless, this is the first demonstration that it is possible to reduce circulating MP in human patients.
Insights
Microplastic particles (MP) in human blood can be reduced using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). This study shows TPE can remove circulating MP, offering a potential method to mitigate health risks associated with plastic pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Medical Technology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastic particles (MP) are pervasive environmental contaminants.
- MP pose potential risks to human health and circulate in the blood.
- No established methods exist for removing MP from the human body.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in reducing circulating microplastic particles (MP) in human patients.
- To determine if TPE can be a viable method for MP removal from the bloodstream.
Main Methods:
- Measured circulating MP in 114 patients before and after 174 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures.
- Utilized the Spectra Optia Apheresis System for TPE.
- Analyzed blood samples to quantify MP levels pre- and post-procedure.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) demonstrated a reduction in circulating microplastic particles (MP).
- MP reduction was observed, though obscured at low initial levels due to leaching from apheresis tubing.
- This is the first study to show MP reduction in human patients via TPE.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) can reduce circulating microplastic particles (MP) in human blood.
- TPE represents a potential strategy for mitigating human exposure to microplastics.
- Further research is needed to optimize MP removal and address leaching issues.
