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Plastic Particles May Increase Liver Disease Risk, Warn Researchers

Researchers have found that exposure to micro and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis, and inflammation in animals, resembling advanced liver disease in humans. The liver, acting as the body's first firewall, may accumulate these particles, which can transport microbial pathogens and carcinogenic additives. Professor Shilpa Chokshi noted that established risk factors like obesity and alcohol use do not fully explain the rising liver disease rates, suggesting environmental factors like plastics play a role. The study highlights the need for further investigation into plastic-induced liver injury and its global health implications.

Key Points: Plastic Particles May Trigger Liver Disease Risk: Study

  • Micro/nanoplastics trigger oxidative stress and inflammation in animals
  • Liver acts as body's firewall, processing toxins
  • Liver disease causes 1 in 25 deaths globally
  • Plastics may transport harmful chemicals into human system
2 min read

Plastic particles may trigger liver disease risk: Researchers

Researchers find micro and nanoplastics may trigger liver disease by causing oxidative stress and inflammation, with global deaths at 1 in 25.

"In an increasingly plastic-laden world, where plastics are closely associated with our food, water and air, these exposures may not only reach the liver but also interact with existing disease processes and amplify harm. - Shilpa Chokshi"

New Delhi, April 23

There is clear evidence that exposure to micro and nanoplastics can trigger oxidative stress, fibrogenesis and inflammation in animals, features that resemble those of advanced liver disease in humans, researchers said on Thursday.

With the liver acting as the body's first major firewall, processing and detoxifying everything humans consume, there is a clear potential for these particles to enable the transporting of microbial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance determinants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and carcinogenic additives into the human system, they emphasised in the Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal.

The article's lead author, Shilpa Chokshi, Professor of Experimental Hepatology and Director of Centre of Environmental Hepatology, said that liver disease is rising globally and is now responsible for 1 in 25 deaths worldwide.

"While established risk factors such as obesity and harmful alcohol use remain central, they do not fully explain the scale or pace of this increase. This has led us to consider additional environmental factors, including micro- and nanoplastics, which may interact with existing disease processes and amplify liver injury," said Chokshi.

There is already strong evidence that plastics can accumulate and cause harm in the livers of animals, raising an important question - why should humans be any different?

In the review, the researchers highlighted critical methodological bottlenecks, key knowledge gaps and unmet research priorities, as well as a number of technical challenges that are presently hindering the search for further evidence of plastic-induced liver injury.

Professor Chokshi that we now have a growing body of evidence that plastics can accumulate in human tissues and have been implicated in a range of medical conditions.

"From my perspective, having spent over two decades developing therapeutics for liver disease, the liver acts as the body's gatekeeper - processing and detoxifying what we are exposed to. In an increasingly plastic-laden world, where plastics are closely associated with our food, water and air, these exposures may not only reach the liver but also interact with existing disease processes and amplify harm," Chokshi explained.

If this is the case, it is something we need to investigate in much greater detail, said researchers.

Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, said this is further evidence that plastic pollution is, without question, a global environmental and health challenge.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit L
The article makes a valid point about plastics interacting with existing diseases. Our liver is already under stress from poor diet and pollution. Now add microplastics to the mix. It's a wake-up call for all of us to reduce plastic use, especially in food packaging and water bottles. Time to switch to steel or glass!
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Vikram M
Interesting research but we need more human studies before jumping to conclusions. The animal evidence is concerning though. In India, we should invest in better recycling infrastructure and promote alternatives like cloth bags and leaf plates. A balanced approach is needed.
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Michael C
This is a global issue that needs coordinated action. From what I've seen in the US and India, plastic pollution is everywhere. The fact that these particles can carry harmful chemicals into our bodies is alarming. We need more research funding and stronger environmental policies worldwide.
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Kavya N
Living in a coastal city, I see plastic waste everywhere. The fact that it's now linked to liver disease is deeply worrying. Indian households should adopt traditional practices like using steel utensils and storing food in clay pots. Our ancestors had it right! 🇮🇳
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Arjun K
The worst part is that microplastics are invisible and ubiquitous. We can't even see what we're consuming. This research is crucial because it shows that liver disease may have environmental triggers we haven't fully considered. Prevention is better than cure - reduce plastic use now!

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