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Selected Publication:
SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Pacher-Deutsch, C; Schweighofer, N; Hanemaaijer, M; Marut, W; Žukauskaitė, K; Horvath, A; Stadlbauer, V.
The microplastic-crisis: Role of bacteria in fighting microplastic-effects in the digestive system.
Environ Pollut. 2024; 366: 125437
Doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125437
Web of Science
PubMed
FullText
FullText_MUG
- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Pacher-Deutsch Christian
- Co-authors Med Uni Graz
- Horvath Angela
- Schweighofer Natascha
- Stadlbauer-Köllner Vanessa
- Zukauskaite Kristina
- Altmetrics:
- Dimensions Citations:
- Plum Analytics:
- Scite (citation analytics):
- Abstract:
- Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, referred to as Microplastics, pose health risks, like metabolic, immunological, neurological, reproductive, and carcinogenic effects, after being ingested. Smaller plastic particles are more likely to be absorbed by human cells, with nanoplastics showing higher potential for cellular damage, including DNA fragmentation and altered protein functions. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) affect the gastrointestinal tract by altering the microbial composition, they could influence digestive enzymes, and possibly disrupt mucus layers. In the stomach, they potentially interfere with digestion and barrier functions, while in the intestines, they could increase permeability via inflammation and tissue disruption. MNPs can lead to microbial dysbiosis, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. By activating inflammatory pathways, altering T cell functions and affecting dendritic cells and macrophages, immune system homeostasis could possibly be disrupted. Probiotics offer potential strategies to alleviate plastic effects, by either degrading plastic particles or directly countering health effects. We compared genetic sequences of probiotics to the genome of known plastic degraders and concluded that no probiotic bacteria could serve the role of plastic degradation. However, probiotics could directly mitigate MNP-health effects. They can restore microbial diversity, enhance the gut barrier, regulate bile acid metabolism, reduce inflammation, regulate insulin balance, and counteract metabolic disruptions. Antioxidative properties protect against lipid peroxidation and MNP-related reproductive system damage. Probiotics can also bind and degrade toxins, like heavy metals and bisphenol A. Additionally, bacteria could be used to aggregate MNPs and reduce their impact. Therefore, probiotics offer a variety of strategies to counter MNP-induced health effects.
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- Microplastics
- Nanoplastics
- Plastic biodegradation
- Probiotics
- Microbial degradation
- Microorganisms
- Health effects