Orally Ingested Micro- and Nano-Plastics: A Hidden Driver of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer
by
, , ,
Annalisa Bruno
1,2,*,†
,
Melania Dovizio
1,2,†,
Cristina Milillo
1,2,
Eleonora Aruffo
1,2
,
Mirko Pesce
3,4,
Marco Gatta
1,2,
Piero Chiacchiaretta
1,2,
Piero Di Carlo
1,2 and 
Patrizia Ballerini
1,2 1
Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
2
Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
3
Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
4
UdA—TechLab, Research Center, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66110 Chieti, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Cancers 2024, 16(17), 3079; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16173079
Submission received: 28 June 2024
/
Revised: 28 August 2024
/
Accepted: 2 September 2024
/
Published: 4 September 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Signaling Mechanisms Underlying Gastrointestinal Tract Tumorigenesis)
Simple Summary
The increasing production of plastics and the failure to properly manage their post use represent the primary sources of environmental and human contamination caused by plastic degradation products, namely micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs). Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs, and their possible role as a driver for the increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has also been proposed. Moreover, colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus promoting the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems. We herein discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms impaired by MNPL oral exposure in healthy conditions and individuals with compromised intestinal barrier function, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC patients, considered high-risk populations, by highlighting the potential contribution of MNPL-induced platelet activation.
Abstract
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) can move along the food chain to higher-level organisms including humans. Three significant routes for MNPLs have been reported: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs and their role as drivers for increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in high-risk populations such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. In this review, by using the leading scientific publication databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect), we explored the possible effects and related mechanisms of MNPL exposure on the gut epithelium in healthy conditions and IBD patients. The summarized evidence supports the idea that oral MNPL exposure may contribute to intestinal epithelial damage, thus promoting and sustaining the chronic development of intestinal inflammation, mainly in high-risk populations such as IBD patients. Colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus contributing to the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems and platelet activation, which may, in turn, contribute to the chronic development of inflammation and CRC development. Further exploration of this threat to human health is warranted to reduce potential adverse effects and CRC risk.
