The widespread presence of microplastics in our environment is a constant concern due to its serious repercussions for both the environment and our health.
These tiny plastic particles, known as microparticles and plastic nanoparticles (MNPs), have been shown to infiltrate our bloodstreams and enter our bodies in a variety of ways, including through food intake.
Now, it has been shown for the first time how these microparticles can cross the blood-brain barrier and consequently reach the brain, according to new research conducted at the Medical University of Vienna.
The study, published in the journalnanomaterialsfocused on exposure to microplastics in mice, showing that the brains of animals fed with MNP – specifically, polystyrene, a plastic widely used in food packaging – contained it just two hours after ingestion through a mechanism hitherto unknown to science, suggesting that tiny plastics, which are found almost everywhere, could be even more worrisome than previously thought.
blood brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier is a complex network of blood vessels and tissues that acts as an essential protective layer for the brain, preventing harmful substances and pathogens from entering it. This cellular barrier only allows important molecules such as water, oxygen, general anesthetics, and carbon dioxide to pass into the brain.
The fact that microplastics have been found in the brain is an alarming concern and shows the need to further investigate the possible effects of microplastics on the human brain. According to the scientists, MNPs, once in the brain, could increase the risk of a number of serious diseases.
“In the brain, plastic particles could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” says Lukas Kenner, one of the study’s principal investigators, in a statement.
The human intestine has a protective barrier similar to the blood-brain barrier, according to information provided by the Medical University of Vienna. For this reason, MNPs can also enter the body and cross the impermeable barriers of the intestine. The process by which these particles cross these barriers is complex and depends on factors such as the size of the particles, their surface chemistry, and the type of cell with which they interact.
microplastics
Nanoplastics are defined by their size less than 0.001 millimeters, while some microplastics are still visible to the naked eye with sizes ranging from 0.001 to 5 millimeters. Microplastics can enter the food chain through various sources, including packaging waste.
These particles also have the ability to enter the human body through the consumption of bottled water and food packed in plastic. It is estimated that a single person who drinks bottled water can ingest around 90,000 plastic particles each year.
“To minimize the potential harm of plastic microparticles and nanoparticles to humans and the environment, it is crucial to limit exposure and restrict their use while continuing to investigate the effects of MNPs,” says Kenner.
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