#83

polystyrene is extensively studied and is functionalized with either positive (e.g., NH2) or negative (e.g., COOH) surface groups and shows some variation in toxicity. NH2-functionalized PS-NPs are commonly used for drug delivery and can cross the blood–brain barrier.163
Positive charges of NH2 reduce lipid layer thickness, making it easier for PS-NH2 to enter cells.164
,165
In some cases, protein coronation by blood serum/digestive fluids can protect cells from damage and affect macrophage-mediated cellular uptake.164
,166
Studies demonstrated that PS-NH2 nanoparticles of size ≤500 nm are rapidly internalized in various cells using energy-related mechanisms like micropinocytosis and phagocytosis.17
When NH2-PS-NP gets internalized in lysosomes, the NH2 group acts as a “proton sponge” that hinders the lysosomal compartment acidification. This leads to excessive proton pump activity and the influx of ions and water into the lysosome, causing the lysosomal membrane to dilate and suffer damage.162
,167
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Ultimately, the contents of the lysosome are released into the cytosol, leading to ROS and lysosomal proteases cathepsins mediated damage that cause apoptotic cell death.162
,167
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ROS-mediated damage can also induce autophagic cell death.105
These adverse effects may occur rapidly at low concentrations (5–20 μg mL−1) in various cell types such as HeLa, fibroblast lung, and intestinal cells.105
,169
Regardless size of the particle, the surface NH2 may also play a potential role in cellular death; however, PS-NH2 particles with ≥600 nm have been shown to cause low toxicity after cellular internalization.170

1 Like
#84

Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris.

3 Likes
#85

Very scary, read the article but not the study yet. Where did they find people that did not have MNP? I think it’s everywhere.

#86

Email the author I’m surprised too

==

anyways post more here
https://www.reddit.com/r/micronanoplastics/

#87

Minuscule pieces of plastic lodged in the fatty deposits that line human arteries may be linked with higher risks for heart disease, strokes, and death, Italian researchers reported on Wednesday.

Among 304 patients who underwent procedures to clear a major artery in the neck, 58% were found to have microscopic and nanoscopic “jagged-edged” pieces of plastic in the plaque lining the blood vessel, including polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride containing chlorine, Dr. Raffaele Marfella at the University of Campania in Naples and colleagues reported.

“Polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride, in their various forms, are used in a wide range of applications, including the production of food and cosmetics containers and water pipes,” the authors wrote. In the report in The New England Journal of Medicine, opens new tab, they noted that such microplastics have been found in drinking water, a large range of foods, cosmetic products, and the air.

While the new study cannot prove the plastic caused patients’ adverse events, it is the first to link the tiny particles with cardiovascular disease outcomes in humans, Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College, who was not involved in the study, wrote in an editorial, opens new tab that accompanied the report.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/plastic-lodged-arteries-may-be-linked-higher-risk-heart-disease-death-2024-03-06/

Microplastics and nanoplastics found in human carotid atheromas (plaques) associated with over a 4-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up.
Source: https://x.com/ChrisPalmerMD/status/1765520290899984871?s=20

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events

RESULTS

A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a mean (±SD) follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months. Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram of plaque; 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram of plaque. Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine. Patients in whom MNPs were detected within the atheroma were at higher risk for a primary end-point event than those in whom these substances were not detected (hazard ratio, 4.53; 95% confidence interval, 2.00 to 10.27; P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, patients with carotid artery plaque in which MNPs were detected had a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected. (Funded by Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05900947. opens in new tab.)

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822

6 Likes
#88

FWIW

Heating food in containers that are plastic or have a plastic coating is not a good idea .

PhD in molecular chemistry is not required.

6 Likes
#90

Did you create microplastics subreddit? Created 3 days ago.

“Micronanoplastics” is it really a good name?

#91

How are MPs similar to apoB?

#93

How to minimize microplastic exposure

Microplastics are unavoidable given the many ways that we use and are exposed to plastic in our daily routines. But there are some things you can do to reduce your exposure and, in turn, help lower the amount of plastic that gets released into the environment. Some tips:

  • Say no to single-use plastic and choose reusable containers and bags. Replace a plastic water bottle with a stainless steel one and plastic kitchenware with wood, glass or metal.
  • Microwave food in glass containers. Heating food in plastic containers can release millions of microplastic particles into your food.
  • Filter your drinking water. Home water filters can be effective at removing some microplastics and other contaminants.
  • Dust and vacuum regularly. Removing excess dust from your home can cut down exposure to plastic fibers in dust.
  • Support plastic pollution policies and legislation. Addressing plastic pollution requires institutional change and coordination of governments to reduce single-use plastic.
5 Likes
#94

Do we know have any kind of evidence that these actions can really significantly decrease microplastic “intake”?

Also, FYI: SGLT2 inhibition ameliorates nano plastics-induced premature endothelial senescence and dysfunction 2023

3 Likes
#95

I really hate vacuum cleaners. I hate carpet too. vacuum sucks up tiny particles, tries to filter them out and blows them through a high speed fan back into the room air. Whole house vacuum might help since it blows them outside.

I would have put plastic carpet and clothing in there.

1 Like
#96

It’s certainly all over the mainstream media now.
" We inhale a credit card’s worth of microplastics each week"
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0h7vcts/we-inhale-a-credit-card-s-worth-of-microplastics-each-week
Just to keep my lungs from clogging up…I induce coughing up a credit card every week. Last week I got lucky and coughed up an American Express Platinum!

5 Likes
#97

Do not accept/believe comment from people who have no idea how blood measurement are performed.

New method for detecting nanoplastics in blood

Press release;

New method for detecting nanoplastics in blood - Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona - UAB Barcelona.

And the paper

The point of contact is in/on the published paper.

1 Like
#98

My comment and view.

This (“nanoplastics in blood”) will be a larger world wide public health issue larger than lead

#99

Go for the American Express Centurion Black Card.

2 Likes
#100

Well what % of PM2.5 inhalation is microplastics? And what % of microplastics exposure is through air rather than intake/food?

If microplastics are 50% of PM2.5 (and it’s unlikely they are) and PM2.5 is still below 10, I’m not too concerned.

Pollution masks are full of MPs…

#101

If you prevent atherosclerosis, I wonder if you can stop the micro plastic deposition. All the more reason to lower ApoB!

However, given how long plastic has been around, the effect of microplastics has probably already been incorporated into mortality statistics.

1 Like
#102

Does the paper give more details on the potential differences between those who have and those who have not polyethylene and polyvinyl in their arteries? Age? Gender? Urban vs rural? Occupation? BMI? Comorbidities? Race? Drug use? Anything? ApoB levels?

1 Like
#103

Yes we want to see the results of the study stratified by ApoB.

Maybe high ApoB causes MNP accumulation and MNP accumulation isn’t bad per se but the increased risk just reflects the high ApoB.

Or the opposite: maybe that high ApoB isn’t bad per se unless you live in a polluted environment where it causes MNP accumulation that causes the harm. It would explain why some high cholesterol proponents argue that in some isolated communities of indigenous people they have high cholesterol but low CVD.

These are just wild guesses. Without more data we cannot conclude.

#104

I would assume micro plastics would make arterial plaque harder to get rid of.

2 Likes