Effect of microplastics on nasal and gut microbiota of high-exposure population: Protocol for an observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Microplastics have the characteristics of small size, high specific area, strong ability to adsorb pollutants, and difficult to degrade. They have become a major global environmental problem that humans urgently need to address. A balanced microecosystem is essential to human health. Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to microplastics can change the characteristics of the microbiota in organisms, leading to respiratory, digestive, immune, and other system diseases. However, the current research on microplastics is still dominated by animal experiments, and the impact of microplastics on human health is still in its infancy, so relevant research is urgently needed. Twenty participants with high exposure to microplastics will come from a plastic factory in Chengdu, China. We will perform 16S rDNA sequencing on participants’ nasal secretions, and stool samples. Additionally, we will perform 8700 LDIR laser infrared imaging of environmental soil and air filter membrane samples. For comparison, we will also collect samples from 20 volunteers from an area with good environmental quality in Chengdu. To find out the potential predictors and to access the difference between the groups, statistical analysis will be performed in the end. The study will be the first observational cross-sectional study focusing on the effects of microplastics on nasal and gut microbiota of high-exposure population. The study is expected to provide reliable evidence to fill the gaps in the impact of microplastics on human health.

Effect of microplastics on nasal and intestinal microbiota of the high-exposure population

“…Air samples were collected through a filter membrane hanging on a pole with a height of 1.5 m (adult breathing height), with three filter membranes hanging on each pole. After 48 h, the filter membranes would be collected and placed in glass containers for detection ( Supplementary Figure 1 ) ( 23 ).…”

The concept of balance in microbiome research

“…Concepts 1 & 2: Balance as health; balance as the opposite of non-health "As is known to all, a balanced microecosystem of the nasal cavity and intestines is essential to biological health". [8] "This microbiota normally has a balanced composition that confers health, and disruption of this balance (dysbiosis) confers disease susceptibility". [9] Concepts 3 & 5: Balance as a state that is lost due to taxa change or proportions of harmful/beneficial microbes "Diversity refers to the number of different taxa within a sample and evenness in the distribution of these taxa; these properties of the microbiota promote 'resilience' , which refers to the maintenance of balance despite disturbances".…”

“…“As is known to all, a balanced microecosystem of the nasal cavity and intestines is essential to biological health”. [ 8 ]…”

Small fish, big discoveries: zebrafish shed light on microbial biomarkers for neuro-immune-cardiovascular health

“…Long-term exposures to pollutants such as nano- and microplastics can alter the characteristics of the microbiota and lead to immune and other disorders ( Hirt and Body-Malapel, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). Similarly, this can also affect wildlife health ( Fackelmann and Sommer, 2019 ), and gut microbiota are a potential tool for detection of compromised aquatic conditions ( Abdul Razak and Scribner, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2021 ; Turner et al, 2022 ).…”