2024 | Carlo Covello, Federica Di Vincenzo, Giovanni Cammarota, Marco Pizzoferatto
Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as a significant global environmental issue, with potential health impacts on living organisms. While their environmental effects are well-documented, the toxicological impacts on mammals, particularly humans, are less understood. MNPs are commonly found in food and water, leading to human exposure through ingestion. This review focuses on recent research exploring the toxicological impacts of MNPs on the gut, as observed in human cell lines and mammalian models. Studies indicate that MNPs can accumulate in mammalian models and human cells, leading to adverse consequences such as epithelial toxicity, immune toxicity, and disruption of the gut microbiota. The review discusses the current research limitations and future research prospects, emphasizing the need for validated analytical methods to better understand the toxicological effects of MNPs on the human gut system.Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as a significant global environmental issue, with potential health impacts on living organisms. While their environmental effects are well-documented, the toxicological impacts on mammals, particularly humans, are less understood. MNPs are commonly found in food and water, leading to human exposure through ingestion. This review focuses on recent research exploring the toxicological impacts of MNPs on the gut, as observed in human cell lines and mammalian models. Studies indicate that MNPs can accumulate in mammalian models and human cells, leading to adverse consequences such as epithelial toxicity, immune toxicity, and disruption of the gut microbiota. The review discusses the current research limitations and future research prospects, emphasizing the need for validated analytical methods to better understand the toxicological effects of MNPs on the human gut system.