Impact of fine particles from microplastic on cardiopulmonary toxicity - 09/05/26

Microplastics are emerging pollutants present in the air we breathe, accumulating in our respiratory tracts. Found in pulmonary alveoli and lymph nodes, these fine particles demonstrate their ability to spread throughout the body. Microplastics disrupt immune balance by altering the inflammatory response of the pulmonary system, promoting diseases such as asthma and COPD. Furthermore, their systemic dissemination may lead to primarily cardiac, but also vascular and cerebral consequences, which remain poorly understood. The impact of microplastics on human health, particularly cardiopulmonary health, is complex and requires extensive research to evaluate their short- and long-term effects and to elucidate their mechanisms of action within the body.

Male Wistar rats (7–8 weeks old) were exposed to microplastics via intratracheal instillation. Three weekly administrations of fluorescently labeled microplastics were performed at doses of 2 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg, and 16 mg/kg, allowing for the tracking of their tissue distribution and the evaluation of their histological effects on the cardiac and pulmonary systems. A second phase, involving prolonged exposure (three times per week for three weeks), was planned to examine long-term effects and systemic impacts. This experimental strategy aims to provide a deeper understanding of the dose-dependent mechanisms of microplastics on target organs.

Preliminary histological results revealed no evidence of emphysema development in lung tissue, despite detectable microplastic accumulation in the lungs. However, analysis indicated systemic dissemination of microplastics, as confirmed by their presence in cardiac tissue. Although microplastics were found in the heart, no significant changes in collagen content were observed. Nevertheless, animals in the high-dose group exhibited more pronounced structural alterations in collagen compared to those receiving lower doses. These findings underscore the potential impact of microplastics on pulmonary integrity, highlighting marked structural damage and an inflammatory response that warrants further quantitative analysis.

This approach provided an initial understanding of the effects of microplastics on cardiopulmonary toxicity. Although the preliminary results are promising, they require confirmation through more detailed quantitative analyses. These findings highlight the need for further research to better understand the distribution of microplastics within the body and their cardiopulmonary toxic effects.