Researchers from the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) found that weathered microplastics had a more severe impact on brain cells compared to fresh ones. Preliminary experiments suggest that weathered microplastics, which contaminate our bodies from various sources, including food and the environment, can trigger significant inflammation and cell death in human brain cells. In experiments with mice and human microglia, key brain immune cells, the weathered microplastics increased inflammation and altered protein expression associated with energy metabolism and cell death. These findings raise concerns about the health effects of microplastic exposure, particularly as plastic production continues to rise. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S001393512301215X?via%3Dihub