Did you know that global plastic use is increasing every year and it has been predicted that plastic manufacturing could increase from 368 million tonnes in 2019 to 33 billion tonnes by 2050? 1,2,3
Polystyrene-based nanoplastics (plastic particles smaller than 0.1 μm) and microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 mm) can be toxic to humans, particularly if they are ingested.
The widespread presence of microplastics and nanoplastics has significantly affected the ecosystem, i.e., water, soil, and air. It has become a global threat to human health. 4
What is polystyrene and where is it mainly found?
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer with good transparency, long-lasting stability and easy painting 5 . It is widely used to make products such as toys, CDs and toothbrushes, as well as to make polystyrene foam, plates, trays, cups, packaging products, clips, office supplies etc. 6
These substances are often introduced into the gastrointestinal tract, where they can cause several adverse effects:
- Disruptions of the intestinal flora
- Mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity
- Neurotoxicity and exacerbated oxidative stress.
Probiotics, a solution?
Although there are numerous reports on the protective effects of probiotics against damage caused by chemical contaminants, little information is available on how these organisms can protect against polystyrene toxicity in humans or animals. However, the protective effects of probiotics can be observed in organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, and even the brain.
Nanoplastics and microplastics have been shown to induce microbial dysbiosis in the gut, nose, and lungs, and probiotic bacteria could be considered for both prevention and treatment. Additionally, improving gut dysbiosis and leaky gut after consuming probiotics can reduce:
- Inflammatory biomarkers
- Avoid unnecessary activation of the immune system
- Overcoming the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics in humans, although some studies are needed before clinical recommendations can be made.
For example, some probiotics were even reported to be able to degrade the common plastic ingredient, bisphenol A. 7,8
Probiotic metabolites are also capable of interacting with the brain-gut axis and improving intestinal homeostasis. In this regard, it has been suggested that the use of probiotics could reduce the toxicity of these materials in humans; a claim that requires further evaluation.
A word more about microplastics and their implications for human health
Most recently (February 2024), a study of placental tissue samples analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and automated particle counting demonstrated the presence of particles and fibers > 1 micron, but not nano-sized plastic particles. Analyses of the samples (n = 10) by attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy – Fourier transform infrared indicated the presence of rayon, polystyrene, polyethylene, and unclassified plastic particles. In contrast, among 62 placenta samples, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that microplastics were present in the placenta of all participants. Polyethylene was the most prevalent polymer, representing 54% of the total nano- and microplastics and consistently found in almost all samples (mean 68.8 ± 93.2 µg/gram of placenta). Polyvinyl chloride and nylon each accounted for about 10% of the nano- and microplastic by weight, with the remaining 26% of the composition being accounted for by 9 other polymers. 9
References:
1.Javad Bazeli, Zarrin Banikazemi, Michael R. Hamblin, Reza Sharafati Chaleshtori. Could probiotics protect against human toxicity caused by polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics? Forehead. Nutr., 10 July 2023 Sec. Food Chemistry Volume 10 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1186724
2. Yee MS, Hii LW, Looi CK, Lim WM, Wong SF, Kok YY, Tan BK, Wong CY, Leong CO. Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health. Nanomaterials (Basel). 2021 Feb 16;11(2):496. doi:10.3390/nano11020496. PMID: 33669327; PMCID: PMC7920297.
3. Kai Yin, Yu Wang, Hongjing Zhao, Dongxu Wang, Menghao Guo, Mengyao Mu, Yachen Liu, Xiaopan Nie, Baoying Li, Jingyan Li, Mingwei Xing, A comparative review of microplastics and nanoplastics: Toxicity hazards on digestive, reproductive and nervous system, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 774, 2021, 145758,
ISSN 0048-9697, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145758.
4. Qiao J, Chen R, Wang M, Bai R, Cui X, Liu Y, Wu C, Chen C. Disruption of gut microbiota plays an important role in micro/nanoplastics-induced gut barrier dysfunction. Nanoscale. 2021 May 20;13(19):8806-8816. doi:10.1039/d1nr00038a. PMID: 33904557.
5. Wünsch, JR. Polystyrene: synthesis, production and applications. Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Rapra Technology Ltd (2000).
6. Kik, K, Bukowska, B and Sicińska, P. Polystyrene nanoparticles: sources, occurrence in the environment, tissue distribution, accumulation and toxicity to various organisms. Environment Pollutant. (2020) 262:114297. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114297
7. Jian Ju, Lijin Shen, Yunfei Xie, Hang Yu, Yahui Guo, Yuliang Cheng, He Qian, Weirong Yao, Degradation potential of bisphenol A by Lactobacillus reuteri, LWT, Volume 106, 2019, Pages 7-14, ISSN 0023-6438, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2019.02.022.
8. Kyrila G, Katsoulas A, Schoretsaniti V, Rigopoulos A, Rizou E, Doulgeridou S, Sarli V, Samanidou V, Touraki M. Bisphenol A removal and degradation pathways in microorganisms with probiotic properties. J Hazard Mater. 2021 Jul 5; 413:125363. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125363. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33592490.
9. Marcus A Garcia, Rui Liu, Alex Nihart, Eliane El Hayek, Eliseo Castillo, Enrico R Barrozo, Melissa A Suter, Barry Bleske, Justin Scott, Kyle Forsythe, Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella, Kjersti M Aagaard, Matthew J Campen, Quantitation and identification of microplastics accumulation in human placental specimens using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry, Toxicological Sciences, 2024;, kfae021, https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfae021
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*Maison Jacynthe disclaims all liability. All information contained in this article is not intended to replace justified allopathic treatment or to disregard the expertise of the medical profession. It is up to each individual to take charge of their own health, to inform themselves, and to make the necessary changes to improve their condition. Therapeutic supervision by a qualified health professional is strongly recommended.
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