Microplastics, Gut Microbiome and Human Health
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 57
Special Issue Editor
Interests: research and application of probiotics; gut microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Microplastics (MPs), a pervasive environmental contaminant, have entered the human food chain, making dietary exposure a main route for human ingestion. Growing evidence links this exposure to possible health problems like metabolic disorders, immune dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. Although the molecular mechanisms linking MP exposure to these conditions remain unclear, a leading hypothesis is that the gut microbiome mediates this relationship. The gut microbial community, essential for metabolism, immunity, and stability, can be disrupted by foreign particles such as MPs.
This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences invites high-quality original research articles and reviews that specifically examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking microplastics, the gut microbiome, and human health. We welcome studies on how MPs, upon ingestion, alter the composition and function of gut microbiota and induce dysbiosis, as well as investigations into resulting molecular events such as disruption of intestinal barrier integrity, activation of immune responses, changes in microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids), and disease-related signaling pathways. We also seek papers exploring MPs as vectors for other contaminants and their combined toxic effects. Studies detailing nutritional or microbial interventions aimed at mitigating the health impacts of MPs are also welcome.
By providing a platform for cutting-edge research, this Special Issue will significantly advance our mechanistic understanding of how an environmental pollutant translates into a human health risk through the gut microbiome.
Prof. Dr. Ying Zhang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- microplastics
- gut microbiome
- dysbiosis
- intestinal barrier
- immunotoxicity
- metabolic inflammation
- na-noplastics
- molecular mechanisms
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