3 ms·
The title seems to not quite match the article, unless I’m missing something. The title suggests that microplastics can reach the brain, which be a shocking res
by PragmaticPulp 3y ago
The title seems to not quite match the article, unless I’m missing something. The title suggests that microplastics can reach the brain, which be a shocking result given that microplastics are relatively large (up to 5mm). The study only found that nanoplastics of a certain small size were found:
> In our study we performed short term uptake studies in mice with orally administered polystyrene micro-/nanoparticles (9.55 µm, 1.14 µm, 0.293 µm). We show that nanometer sized particles—but not bigger particles—reach the brain within only 2 h after gavage.
Still concerning, of course. They didn’t really do any quantification of how much this happened, they just administered rather extreme concentrations of deliberately produced nanoplastic formulas and then later found a couple particles in brain sample images.
The images they included (scroll down to Figure 3) are somewhat confusing in that they all have green dots in them, but only some of the dots are labeled nanoplastics. Even the control mouse has a lot of little green dots, but they’re not identified as nanoplastics for reasons I don’t understand. Someone more familiar with the subject matter would have to comment on how reliable this method is. The number of green dots is strikingly large in even the control mouse, so clearly they’re not all nanoplastics.
- peteradio 3y agoI suppose what they are saying is smaller parts of the microplastics were apparently breaking off and entering the brain as nano-sized, none of the samples fed were nano-sized.
- PragmaticPulp 3y agoThe article says they administered sub-micrometer particles, which they refer to as nanoplastics.
- peteradio 3y agoAhh I see, reading a bit more, I think the idea is that the gut is filtering out the larger particles but simulation indicates the BBB could pass micro-plastics. > These findings together with the computer model underline that MNP PS particles can cross the gastrointestinal barrier and the BBB within a short time, but only 0.293 µm sized particles were able to be taken up from the gastrointestinal tract and to penetrate the BBB. This suggests that the size of the particles may be a critical factor in their ability to penetrate the BBB [42].
- bookofjoe 3y ago>Micro- and Nanoplastics Breach the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB): Biomolecular Corona’s Role Revealed
- PragmaticPulp 3y agoFrom the first paragraph of the article: > In our study we performed short term uptake studies in mice with orally administered polystyrene micro-/nanoparticles (9.55 µm, 1.14 µm, 0.293 µm). We show that nanometer sized particles—but not bigger particles—reach the brain within only 2 h after gavage.
- bookofjoe 3y agoAh, now I see your point — and it is a good one. The title should be something like "Ingested Microplastics May Break Down Into Nanoplastics Which Breach Blood-Brain Barrier"
- SapporoChris 3y agoI suspect that microplastics are not reaching the brain. We have autopsies that can specifically look for this. Example: "Researchers found evidence of plastic contamination in tissue samples taken from the lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys of donated human cadavers." https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/08/17/Autopsies-show-microplastics-in-all-major-human-organs/4221597672641/ https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/08/17/Autopsies-show-mi... I'm not downplaying the problem at all. If microplastics are in major organs that is a serious problem that warrants additional research or even outright bans. However, if microplastics are getting to the brain I think there'd be conclusive evidence by now.