Health impacts of environmental contamination of micro- and nanoplastics: a review

Plastics are extensively used in our daily life. However, a significant amount of plastic waste is discharged to the environment directly or via improper reuse or recycling. Degradation of plastic waste generates micro- or nano-sized plastic particles that are defined as micro- or nanoplastics (MNPs). Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 mm, while nanoplastics (NPs) range in diameter from 1 to 100 or 1000 nm. In the current review, we first briefly summarized the environmental contamination of MNPs and then discussed their health impacts based on existing MNP research. Our review indicates that MNPs can be detected in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide and be ingested and accumulated by animals along the food chain. Evidence has suggested the harmful health impacts of MNPs on marine and freshwater animals. Recent studies found MPs in human stool samples, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through food and/or drinking water. However, the effect of MNPs on human health is scarcely researched. In addition to the MNPs themselves, these tiny plastic particles can release plastic additives and/or adsorb other environmental chemicals, many of which have been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting and other toxic effects. In summary, we conclude that more studies are necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of MNP pollution hazards and also provide a basis for the subsequent pollution management and control.

Effect of carpesium abrotanoides petroleum ether fraction on phagocytic function of macrophages and antibody forming cell in mice / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study the effects of carpesium abrotanoides petroleum ether fraction on phagocytic function of macrophages and antibody forming cell in mice.Methods The extract carpesium abrotanoides petroleum ether fraction,forty five mice were divided into the control group and low and high dose groups of carpesium abrotanoides petroleum ether fraction by random number table method,15 mices in each group.The low-dose and high-dose groups of carpesium abrotanoides petroleum ether fraction were given 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg respectively by gavage for 10 days.The spleen weight,growth index,the phagocytosis of macrophages and the number of antibody-forming cells in peritoneal macrophages of mice were detected by chicken erythrocyte phagocytosis test and hemolytic plaque test.Results Compared with the control group,the spleen weight (192.4 ± 11.49 mg,204.6 4 10.59 mg vs.117.6 ± 10.89 mg),the growth index (6.04 ± 0.54,6.06 ± 0.40 vs.3.89 ± 0.14),antibody forming (1 216.4 ± 94.1,1 548.8 ± 86.4 vs.361.0 ± 11.7),phagocytosis percentage of macrophages (58.60％ ± 2.60％,72.0％ ± 3.08％ vs.35.49％ ± 1.64％),and Phagocytosis index (2.01 ± 0.10,2.69 ± 0.15 vs.0.37 ± 0.06) of the groups of low doses and high doses of Carpesium abrotanoides Petroleum ether fraction significantly increased (P＜0.05).Conclusions The low doses and high doses of Carpesium abrotanoides Petroleum ether fraction can enhance the mice's specific and nonspecific immune function,and protect the immune system of mice.