Researchers looking into the impacts of microplastics on health have found traces of the toxin accumulations in every organ of mouse models. This includes the brain.
Microplastics Found in Every Organ of Mice
More specifically, when young and old mice drank microplastics within their water for three weeks, the researchers from the University of Rhode observed the accumulation of the pollutants in all their organs. Alongside the microplastic presence also came behavioral alterations that mirrors human dementia and immune marker changes within the brain and liver.
Neuroscientist Jaime Ross explains that they found their observations striking. While their intake of microplastics was not high, such changes were observed in just a short span of time.
The life cycle of microplastics within the body still remains beyond understanding. Hence, a part of what the researchers want to look into is what happens as one ages. In such a case, does it make one more prone to getting systemic inflammation due to the microplastics? Is the body capable of easily getting rid of these pollutants? Is the response of cells towards these toxins different?
While the findings of the study do not translate directly to humans, there are studies on animal models that serve as the first step to further clinical research.
As part of the experiment, both the young and old mice received microplastic-treated water. The microplastics were from fluorescent polystyrene.
On the other hand, the control group of mice were given normal drinking water.
The group of mice that drank water containing microplastics for a span of three weeks exhibited significant changes in behavior. These were pronounced easily among the older mice.
By the end of the three-week period, microplastic particles were found in each tissue that the team looked into. These were the liver, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, spleen, and brain. The microplastics were also found in the urine and poop of the creatures.
The detection of the microplastics outside of the digestive system shows that they could be going through systemic circulation.
ALSO READ : Less-Toxic Approach to Eliminate Microplastics in Drinking and Wastewater Developed Through Okra
Present in the Brain
The microplastics' particular presence in the brain is quite concerning, as it shows that these toxins are capable of crossing the immune barrier that draws the line between the bloodstream and the central nervous system. This could potentially result in neurocognitive issues.
The findings align with an earlier study from this year that discovered the presence of microplastics in the mice's brain just two hours after the mice ate a meal that was contaminated.
A similar 2022 study also discovered that polystyrene microplastics that are ingested could build up within the brains of mice. This could trigger inflammation and memory impairments. However, the study did not pinpoint any changes in behavior among the mice when they underwent an open field test.
In this recent study, the researchers spotted that the GFAP protein, which supports brain cells, decreased in number after the mice ingested the microplastics. Lower levels of GFAP are linked with the early stages of some neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's among mice models and depression.
How microplastics altered the signaling of GFAP came as a surprise to the researchers. Ross plans to further look into these alarming changes in the future.
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