Thomas Unise
New research from the University of California, Riverside reveals that microplastics may directly contribute to cardiovascular disease by increasing plaque buildup in arteries, particularly in males.
Key Findings on Microplastics and Heart Health
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have uncovered alarming evidence that microplastics may be more than just passive pollutants in our bodies. In a groundbreaking study published in Environment International, researchers fed microplastics to laboratory mice predisposed to atherosclerosis and observed dramatic increases in arterial plaque formation—but interestingly, only in male mice.
The study showed that male mice experienced a 63% increase in plaque accumulation in the aortic root and a staggering 624% increase in the brachiocephalic artery, despite maintaining normal weight and cholesterol levels. Female mice, by contrast, showed no significant changes.
How Microplastics Affect Blood Vessels
Lead researcher Changcheng Zhou and his team discovered that microplastics appear to trigger genetic changes in endothelial cells—the cells lining blood vessels. These changes promote inflammation and plaque formation, initiating the disease process that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
“Our study provides some of the strongest evidence so far that microplastics may directly contribute to cardiovascular disease, not just correlate with it,” explained Zhou. The researchers observed similar effects when they exposed cultured human endothelial cells to microplastics.
Gender Differences in Vulnerability
The stark difference in response between male and female mice raises important questions about gender-specific vulnerability to microplastic pollution. Zhou suggested that “factors like sex chromosomes and hormones, particularly the protective effects of estrogen, may play a role” in this disparity.
Implications for Human Health
This research is particularly concerning because the mice were exposed to microplastic levels considered environmentally relevant and similar to what humans encounter through contaminated food and water. More troubling still is that the plaque formation occurred without traditional risk factors like obesity or high cholesterol, suggesting microplastics themselves may be directly harmful to cardiovascular health.
Reducing Exposure to Microplastics
While there’s currently no way to remove microplastics already in the human body, researchers suggest several strategies to reduce exposure:
- Avoid single-use plastics
- Limit consumption of highly-processed foods
- Don’t heat food in plastic containers
- Choose alternatives to bottled water
The research team plans to investigate how different types and sizes of microplastics affect vascular cells and explore the molecular mechanisms behind the observed gender differences in arterial response. As microplastic pollution continues to increase worldwide, understanding its health impacts becomes increasingly urgent.
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