Well, this blows.
Microplasty – annoying particles that have contaminated air, water, food and our bodies – have been associated with a higher risk of inflammation, hormone disruption, DNA damage, respiratory diseases and heart problems, among other health issues.
A new study suggests that the absorption of microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in the lungs that is essential to the immune system, increasing the risk of cancer and other diseases.
“For me, it is a bit open that although microplastics is not the most dangerous agent we can encounter, they are far from kindness,” said the first author of the study Adam Soloff, an associate professor of Kardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
The microplasty is less than a pencil tire. They soften polyester clothes, car tires and bottles and plastic bags. Some are deliberately produced for personal care products, such as germs found in cleansing, facial cleaners and toothpaste.
For the new study, the Soloff team had mice that absorb microplastics to measure the effects on their body.
Plastic minute fragments were detected in the liver, spleen and colon. The quantities of tracks were found in their brain and kidneys for up to a week after breathing inside.
“The respiratory microplasty is distributed systemically after passing through the lungs,” Soloff explained. “In general, these can have harmful effects on any and all organ systems and contribute to a number of diseases.”
Researchers also cultivated macrophages of different sizes of polystyrene microplasty. Packaging of styrofoam, cups available and foam are made of polystyrene.
Macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the lungs. They are vital in the removal of damaged cells and waste, resolving inflammation and promoting tissue repair.
Within 24 hours, macrophages were allowed to include and digest bacteria, a critical cellular process known as phagocytosis.
“When we first started discussing these microplastic exposures, I was sure that macrophages would simply eat (phagocytosis) and thirdly (processed lysosomally), and that would be its end,” Soloff said.
“I was really surprised to see that not only did the macrophages fought to break down the plastic in vitro, but the macrophages in the lungs kept these particles over time.”
The good news is that researchers found that Akadeina, a drug mainly used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, restored some macrophage functions.
The results were presented on Monday at the American Conference of Thoracic in San Francisco.
The Soloff team plans to examine microplastic exposure to the lung tissue to develop an early warning system for lung disease and the risk of lung cancer.
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Image Source : nypost.com