Microplastics in the human digestive environment: A focus on the potential and challenges facing in vitro gut model development

Fournier, E; Etienne‐Mesmin, Lucie; Grootaert, Charlotte; Jelsbak, Lotte; Syberg, Kristian; Blanquet‐Diot, Stéphanie; Mercier‐Bonin, Muriel

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125632

Cited by 84 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 135 publications

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“…This report highlighted the occurrence of MPs in bivalves, shrimp/crab, and fish at concentration ranges of 0.2-4, 0.75, and 1-7 particles/g, respectively (128,129). Contamination of honey (40-660 fibers/kg), sugar (217 fibers/ kg), and salt (0-19,800 particles/kg) with MPs has been documented (128,129). Cox et al (45) used average concentrations in seafood of 1.48 MPs/g, sugar of 0.44 MPs/g, honey of 0.10 MPs/g, and salt of 0.11 MPs/g in a human exposure assessment.…”

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…In 2016, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an overview of MPs and nanoplastics in food, with a focus on seafood (127). This report highlighted the occurrence of MPs in bivalves, shrimp/crab, and fish at concentration ranges of 0.2-4, 0.75, and 1-7 particles/g, respectively (128,129). Contamination of honey (40-660 fibers/kg), sugar (217 fibers/ kg), and salt (0-19,800 particles/kg) with MPs has been documented (128,129).…”

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

2021

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The ubiquitous exposure of humans to microplastics (MPs) through inhalation of particles in air and ingestion in dust, water, and diet is well established. Humans are estimated to ingest tens of thousands to millions of MP particles annually, or on the order of several milligrams daily. Available information suggests that inhalation of indoor air and ingestion of drinking water bottled in plastic are the major sources of MP exposure. Little is known on the occurrence of MPs in human diet. Evidence is accumulating that feeding bottles and medical devices can contribute to MP exposure in newborns and infants. Biomonitoring studies of human stool, fetus, and placenta provide direct evidence of MP exposure in infants and children. MPs <20 µm were reported to cross biological membranes. Although plastics were once perceived as inert materials, MP exposure in laboratory animals is linked to various forms of inflammation, immunological response, endocrine disruption, alteration of lipid and energy metabolism, and other disorders. Whereas exposure to MPs itself is a concern, MPs can also be sources of exposure to plastic additives and other toxicants. Exposure of human cell lines to MP additives such as phthalates, bisphenols, and organotins causes adverse effects through the activation of nuclear receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) α, β, and γ, and retinoid X receptor (RXR), leading to oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, thyroid hormone disruption, and altered adipogenesis and energy production. The size, shape, chemical composition, surface charge, and hydrophobicity of MPs influence their toxicity. Maternal transfer of MPs to the developing fetus has been demonstrated in exposed laboratory animals and through the analysis of human placenta. In laboratory animal studies, maternal exposure to MPs altered energy and lipid metabolism in offspring and subsequent generations. Moreover, concomitant with the global increase in plastics production, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in human populations has increased over the past five decades, and there is evidence to support the hypothesis that MPs and their additives are potential obesogens. Even though MP exposures are ubiquitous and toxic effects from such exposures are a concern, systematic studies on this topic remain urgently needed.

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Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

2021

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“…Polymer materials used in food packaging follow a strict regulation 71 that authorizes just hundreds of polymer additives, but those that are prohibited for food packaging, that exceed the number of approved ones, are used in polymers for other applications that could partly end up as MPs and form part of the diet, albeit undesirably. Moreover, MP ingestion could generate additional risk factors, since MPs coming from the environment could also act as vectors for possible pathogens or contaminants, which could directly or indirectly impact in gut microbiota and be related with gut dysbiosis 13,72 . Hence, further research is needed to elucidate the effect of MPs intake on the human gut microbiome homeostasis, and thus be able to assess the risk that MPs ingestion through diet has on human health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PET Microplastics Affect Human Gut Microbiota Communities During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion. First Evidence of Plausible Polymer Biodegradation During Human Digestion

Tamargo¹,

Molinero²,

Reinosa³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Microplastics are a widely recognized global problem due to their prevalence in natural environments and the food chain. However, the impacts of microplastics on human microbiota and their possible biotransformations during the gastrointestinal tract have not been well reported. To evaluate the potential risks of microplastics at the digestive level, completely passing a single dose of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) through the gastrointestinal tract was simulated by combining a harmonised static model and the dynamic gastrointestinal simgi® model, which recreates the different regions of the digestive tract in physiological conditions. PET MPs started several biotransformations in the gastrointestinal tract and appeared to expose the colon in ways that were structurally different from the original forms. We report that the feeding with microplastics alters human microbial colonic community composition, and hypothesize that some members of the colonic microbiota could adhere to MPs surface promoting the formation of biofilms. The work presented here indicates that microplastics are indeed capable of digestive-level health effects. Considering this evidence and the increasing exposure to microplastics in consumer foods and beverages, the impact of plastics on the functionality of the gut microbiome and their potential biodegradation through digestion and intestinal bacteria merits critical investigation.

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“…Gut microbial dysbiosis can be affected by multiple environmental pollutants such as microplastics, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, nanoparticles, metals, and metalloids [ 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ].…”

Section: The Role Of Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites In Brain Functioning And Neurodegenerationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gut Microbiota as a Potential Player in Mn-Induced Neurotoxicity

et al. 2021

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Manganese (Mn) is an essential metal, which at high exposures causes neurotoxic effects and neurodegeneration. The neurotoxic effects of Mn are mediated by neuroinflammation, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other mechanisms. Recent findings have demonstrated the potential impact of Mn overexposure on gut microbiota dysbiosis, which is known to contribute to neurodegeneration via secretion of neuroactive and proinflammatory metabolites. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the existing data on the impact of Mn exposure on gut microbiota biodiversity, bacterial metabolite production, and gut wall permeability regulating systemic levels. Recent data have demonstrated that Mn exposure may affect gut microbiota biodiversity by altering the abundance of Shiegella, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Fusicatenibacter, Roseburia, Parabacteroides, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, and other bacterial phyla. A Mn-induced increase in Bacteroidetes abundance and a reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio may increase lipopolysaccharide levels. Moreover, in addition to increased systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, Mn is capable of potentiating LPS neurotoxicity. Due to the high metabolic activity of intestinal microflora, Mn-induced perturbations in gut microbiota result in a significant alteration in the gut metabolome that has the potential to at least partially mediate the biological effects of Mn overexposure. At the same time, a recent study demonstrated that healthy microbiome transplantation alleviates Mn-induced neurotoxicity, which is indicative of the significant role of gut microflora in the cascade of Mn-mediated neurotoxicity. High doses of Mn may cause enterocyte toxicity and affect gut wall integrity through disruption of tight junctions. The resulting increase in gut wall permeability further promotes increased translocation of LPS and neuroactive bacterial metabolites to the systemic blood flow, ultimately gaining access to the brain and leading to neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter imbalance. Therefore, the existing data lead us to hypothesize that gut microbiota should be considered as a potential target of Mn toxicity, although more detailed studies are required to characterize the interplay between Mn exposure and the gut, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and other diseases.

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Microplastics in the human digestive environment: A focus on the potential and challenges facing in vitro gut model development

Cited by 84 publications

References 135 publications

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens

PET Microplastics Affect Human Gut Microbiota Communities During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion. First Evidence of Plausible Polymer Biodegradation During Human Digestion

Gut Microbiota as a Potential Player in Mn-Induced Neurotoxicity

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