Microplastics are chemically active and could cause biological harm
The study found polyethylene triggered liver damage and worsened disease with a high-fat diet, while activating pathways tied to fat metabolism and tissue repair.
- Researchers at the University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Texas discovered that polyethylene, the most widely produced plastic, contributes to fatty liver disease.
- The American Liver Foundation reports that fatty liver disease affects approximately 25% of people worldwide, yet scientists have devoted relatively little attention to polyethylene's potential liver effects.
- Using spatial transcriptomics to map liver damage, scientists identified that polyethylene activates PPAR-alpha, a protein regulating fat metabolism, and involves the tissue-repair gene ANXA2.
- Joshi warned that "those who have a more Western-style diet, including foods like burgers and sodas, may have a greater chance of progressing to fatty liver disease if they are also exposed to polyethylene."
- The team plans to investigate whether targeting the PPAR-alpha pathway could protect against plastic-related damage while examining other molecular processes involved in the liver's response to polyethylene.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Microplastics are chemically active and could cause biological harm
Plastics are supposed to be chemically inert. It's the reason they're used so frequently to package food, bottle water and create children's toys: They're safe. But something important happens when a large piece of plastic fragments into micro- and nanoparticles. Its surface area increases dramatically relative to its volume. Vastly more of the material is now exposed to its surroundings.
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics worsened signs of fatty liver, especially when combined with an unhealthy diet, raising questions about a plastic used in everyday packaging
New research from Texas A&M University indicates that polyethylene microplastics may affect liver health negatively. The study observed significant signs of fatty liver disease linked to polyethylene exposure and a high-fat diet. Researchers found changes in gene activity related to fat metabolism and tissue repair. Future investigations will focus on whether these pollutants contribute to more severe liver damage.
Common Plastic Additive Once Deemed Safe Now Tied to Surge in Fatty Liver Cases
Polyethylene microplastics, once viewed as inert, now show clear links to fatty liver disease in mice, worsening fat accumulation and inflammation even on standard diets. Texas A&M research and supporting studies reveal metabolic disruption in the liver, urging a fresh look at everyday plastic exposure. The findings could reshape risk assessment for a disease affecting millions.
Common packaging plastic may worsen fatty liver disease, mouse study finds
Texas A&M University researchers found that polyethylene microplastics may contribute to fatty liver disease in mice. Polyethylene makes up about one-third of global plastic production and is used in food wrappers, containers and cup linings. The plastic raised signs of liver disease on its own and made them worse alongside a diet high in fat, fructose and cholesterol. Outside expert Dr. Nhan Nguyen cautioned that the effect has not been show…
A plastic once thought harmless may be fueling fatty liver disease
One of the world's most common plastics may pose a hidden threat to liver health. Texas A&M researchers discovered that polyethylene microplastics can contribute to fatty liver disease, with potentially worse effects when combined with an unhealthy diet. Even more surprising, this widely used plastic was previously considered relatively harmless.
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