Nanoplastics Toxicity Specific to Liver in Inducing Metabolic Dysfunction—A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Plastic pollution in the world is widespread and growing. The environment is swamped with nanoplastics (<100 nm), and the health consequences of these less visible pollutants are unknown. Furthermore, there is evidence that microplastics can release nanoplastics by digestive disintegration, implying that macroplastic exposure can cause direct and indirect disease via nanoplastics. The existence and impact of nanoplastics in numerous tissues from invertebrates to larger vertebrates that consume significant amounts of plastics were investigated, and histopathological techniques were utilized to determine physiological reactions and inflammation from the plastics. Nanoplastics enters an organism through the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract where they accumulate into the liver through blood circulation via absorption, or epidermal infiltration. It is stated that macroplastics can cause damage directly at the site of exposure, whereas nanoplastics can influence the liver, causing subsequent damage to other organs. Multi-organ dysfunction is brought on by liver changes, and nanoplastics can readily enter the gut-liver axis and disturb the gut microflora. By exploring the literature and summarizing the research that has been published to date, this review article reveals the deleterious effect and mechanisms of nanoplastics on the pathophysiological functions of the hepatic system.

Plastic compounds and liver diseases: Whether bisphenol A is the only culprit

“…Here, it was found that lipid accumulation is following a lysosomal stress response. In a mouse oocyte, BPA exposure is seen to cause lysosomal stress 114 . Nevertheless, lysosomal stress is not an isolated event in a cell.…”

“…113 NPs are known to alter gut-liver axis causing damage to liver and aggravating metabolic dysfunction. 114 Further, derangement of physiological gut-liver cross talk through dysbiosis can lead to NAFLD. 115 When PET microplastics (MPs) were combined with BPA, it was found that growth along with the toxic effects on liver was augmented in fish model.…”

“…Study has revealed that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastics (NPs) exhibit toxic effects including fibrosis induction in liver among other organs in animal model 113 . NPs are known to alter gut–liver axis causing damage to liver and aggravating metabolic dysfunction 114 . Further, derangement of physiological gut–liver cross talk through dysbiosis can lead to NAFLD 115 .…”

“…In a mouse oocyte, BPA exposure is seen to cause lysosomal stress. 114 Nevertheless, lysosomal stress is not an isolated event in a cell. It is often associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.…”

Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects

“…Studies on the toxicity of MPs conducted to date have shown that MPs exposure caused intestinal damage, liver infection, flora imbalance, lipid accumulation, and subsequently led to metabolic disorders [194]. Furthermore, MPs exposure increased the expression of inflammatory factors, inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity, reduced germ cell quality, and affected embryonic development [15,194].…”