As well as natural elements such as iron and copper, people can ingest, absorb, and even inhale microplastics and nanoplastics and their chemical additives. A groundbreaking study just published in the New England Journal of Medicine links microplastics and nanoplastics found in plaque in human blood vessels to a potential increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. .

Konstantinos Lazaridis, MD, and his team at the Mayo Clinic Center for Personalized Medicine’s exposome research builds on previous findings and these recent discoveries to reduce the impact of microplastics, nanoplastics, chemicals and pollution on external organisms. We are at the forefront of studying how exposure occurs. Affects health.

Exposome research investigates cumulative environmental exposures over a person’s lifetime and how those exposures interact with genetic factors to influence biology and health.

“We plan to investigate the systemic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics, and their chemical additives, on not only liver health but overall human health,” said Carlson of the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine. said Dr. Lazaridis, Nelson Endowment Executive Director.

Dr. Lazaridis has dedicated his career to studying the genetic and environmental basis of rare liver diseases such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cholangitis.

The human liver is a vital organ that is often referred to as the “powerhouse of the body” because it is located under the protective right rib cage and plays a vital role in digestion and blood detoxification. Genetics plays a role in the liver’s overall function, but new research reveals that environmental exposures also have a big impact on liver health.

Do microplastics affect liver health?

Dr. Lazaridis seeks to draw parallels from existing medical knowledge about exposure to essential metals such as iron and copper and their effects on liver function and disease. It is well known in the field of hepatology that iron and copper, obtained primarily from dietary sources, play a pivotal role in important processes such as oxygen transport and erythropoiesis.

Genetic defects can cause excessive accumulation of these normally harmless metals, which can cause liver damage and disease.

Microplastics and nanoplastics are tiny pieces that result from the decomposition of larger plastic products. Chemical additives are often added to increase flexibility and durability. We know that microplastics and nanoplastics have permeated every corner of the planet. Due to their small size, they can be ingested, absorbed, and inhaled, increasing their potential health risks.

Dr. Lazaridis emphasizes that these findings raise concerns about the long-term effects of microplastics and nanoplastics, especially on young people.

He said the urgency of this research was underlined by the fact that current plastic production is estimated at 400 million tonnes a year, a figure predicted to double by 2050.

“Plastics have made our lives easier and inspired many medical advances, but we must understand the impact of plastics on human health for years to come.” says Dr. Lazaridis.

Ultimately, we will advance our understanding of the long-term effects of exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics, and provide individualized treatment in a manner similar to what clinicians do for iron and copper accumulation in susceptible populations. We hope to provide direction for standardized therapeutic interventions.