Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have found evidence that polyethylene, one of the most common plastics in the world, can contribute to the development of fatty liver disease. The study indicates that these microplastics affect the natural repair and defense mechanisms of the liver, according to Miragenews.
Interaction With Diet and Lifestyle
The research team, led by Joshi, discovered that polyethylene increased signs of fatty liver disease independently. However, the condition was further exacerbated when the plastic exposure was paired with a diet high in cholesterol, fructose, and fat. Joshi noted that individuals consuming a Western-style diet,
which includes items such as sodas and burgers, may face a higher chance of progressing to fatty liver disease if they are also exposed to polyethylene.
This finding is particularly notable because polyethylene has long been regarded as one of the more biologically inert microplastics. Despite this, it accounts for approximately one-third of the global production of plastic. The findings suggest that dietary habits and environmental exposures may work in tandem to accelerate liver damage.
Biological Mechanisms of Damage
Using a high-resolution approach known as spatial transcriptomics, the researchers were able to identify the specific areas of damage within the liver. The study revealed that polyethylene activates PPAR-alpha, a protein known to regulate fat production in the liver, which serves as a key factor in how the liver responds to microplastic exposure.
Fatty liver disease is a condition where excess fat builds up in liver cells. According to the American Liver Foundation, this condition affects about 25% of people globally. The Texas A&M researchers intend to continue exploring additional molecular pathways and are hoping to determine if manipulating the PPAR-alpha pathway can mitigate the harmful effects caused by polyethylene.
Broader Context of Plastic-Induced Liver Injury
The Texas A&M findings align with wider concerns regarding plastic-induced liver injury.
A study led by the University of Plymouth’s Centre of Environmental Hepatology, published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, suggests that microplastic particles can trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. These are the same biological pathways involved in alcohol-related liver disease and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, according to Cambodianess.
Researchers warn that microplastics can act as carriers for heavy metals and toxic chemicals, potentially amplifying liver damage. For those already suffering from alcohol-related damage or fatty liver disease, such exposures could accelerate the progression toward liver failure or cirrhosis.
Risk Factors and Global Impact
While the Texas A&M study focused on polyethylene, Joshi stated that other classes of microplastics may also be harmful and require investigation. The broader impact of these environmental factors is significant, as liver disease accounts for roughly one in 25 deaths globally. Experts suggest that pollution may be a “missing link” in explaining the burden of liver disease that is not fully accounted for by viral hepatitis, obesity, or alcohol.
The difficulty of avoiding these particles is highlighted by their detection in salt, seafood, drinking water, and the air. In regions like Cambodia, this is compounded by pervasive plastic pollution in waterways and the open burning of waste, which breaks plastics down into the microscopic particles that contaminate the environment.
