Micro/nano-plastics (MNP) - the new ultra threat to our health
In a first of its kind study, a group out of Italy has found quite disturbing results in the hearts of a few hundred tested individuals. From the study: 257 patients completed a 35 month study where they detected polyethylene in the 59% of the patient's heart's carotid artery plaque.
In addition, 12% of the patients had detectable amounts of polyvinyl chloride. "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." (Marfella et. al. 2024) Individuals with micro/nanoplastics in the carotid atheroma were at significantly higher risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, or death than those without detectable MNP. The hazard ratio is 4.5 which is to say that the risk is 4.5 X higher for the plastic exposed people.
Polyethylene is ubiquitous in our environment as it is a main component of plastic bags, wrappers, IV tubing in the hospital and more. Polyvinyl chloride, the stuff spilled in the East Palestine train derailment, is the main ingredient in vinyl products like PVC tubing, flooring and more.
There is an amazing image in Nature News showing the electron micrograph of the plastic particles in the plaque. Link is below.
Redo from a few weeks ago as a tie in: Nanoplastics in the research in the Journal PNAS. The researchers analyzed bottled water for the presence of nanoplastics and found them to be at 10 to the 5th in volume or 100000 particles per bottle. Now these particles are 10 to the minus 9th in size (-0.000000001 meters) which is insanely small and capable of getting pretty much everywhere in the body. (Qian et. al. 2023)
Bioaccumulation is now the word that describes low levels of persistent plastic exposure ingestion/inhalation and subsequent body tissue accumulation. From ....."Moreover, nanoplastics can cross the blood–brain barrier after intravascular injection and accumulate in the brain. A study on nanoplastics obtained through the food chain showed that nanoplastics cross the blood–brain barrier, inducing brain damage in fish. Furthermore, a study using an ex vivo human placental perfusion model of nanoplastics reported that nanoplastics can cross the placental barrier through passive diffusion. These findings indicate that nanoplastics can penetrate important biological barriers (such as the intestinal barrier, blood–air barrier, blood–brain barrier, and placental barrier) and pose potential adverse effects to people." (Lai et. al. 2022)
Nanoplastics destroy cell membranes inducing apoptosis and macrophage activation to clean up the debris field leading to localized inflammation. There is further evidence that nanoparticles are taken in by mitochondria and increase ROS while decreasing energy production and mitochondrial function. This is a 100% bad pattern of biological effect. (Lai et. al. 2022)
THESE STUDIES ARE REALLY FASCINATING WHILE ALSO INSANELY FRUSTRATING. The end result of these cellular affecting nanoparticles will be inflammation and cellular senescence. We are truly fighting a losing battle between our immune solvency and the external environmental onslaught known as chemicals and toxins. Our epigenetic system will struggle to match this exposome change in volume and speed of onset leaving us genetically at risk for toxin mediated disease.
More on nanoplastics (NP) - It turns out that the nanoplastics can activate the innate immune system via the NLRP3 inflammasome. This leads to localized inflammation and resolution of the NP in that area. the problem arises in my mind when the NP's are persistent and found in a human with high NLRP3 activity at baseline due to fructose ingestion and processed foods. (Alijagic et. al. 2023) I am struck by the beauty of the NLRP3 inflammasome system during baseline historical exposome surveillance, inflammation and resolution. It is an elegant system that seems to be at the center of much that we look at including covid, preeclampsia, ASD and much more. Now usher in the emerging research on nano plastics infiltrating all biological tissues at such tiny sizes leading to bioaccumulation and chronic innate immune activation, apoptosis and cellular senescence. I am continually intrigued by the fructose ( or starch via polyol pathway) to uric acid to NLRP3 activation globally as a gasoline source for reducing cellular/mitochondrial resistance to these disparate toxicities as they are emerging and increasing over time. Almost like a Patrice Cani style low level (NLRP3 induced) endotoxemia via refined carbohydrates and toxins working in concert to overwhelm the system over time. This recent PNAS paper above is quite disturbing as they found 100000 nanoparticles per liter of drinking water in the context of this frontiers paper is a solid mess.
The final take home is clear. We have to begin the process of removing plastics from our lives everywhere that we can to limit abnormal immune activations and subsequent disease promoting physiological changes.
