Nanoplastics Toxicity Specific to Liver in Inducing Metabolic Dysfunction—A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Plastic pollution in the world is widespread and growing. The environment is swamped with nanoplastics (<100 nm), and the health consequences of these less visible pollutants are unknown. Furthermore, there is evidence that microplastics can release nanoplastics by digestive disintegration, implying that macroplastic exposure can cause direct and indirect disease via nanoplastics. The existence and impact of nanoplastics in numerous tissues from invertebrates to larger vertebrates that consume significant amounts of plastics were investigated, and histopathological techniques were utilized to determine physiological reactions and inflammation from the plastics. Nanoplastics enters an organism through the respiratory and gastro-intestinal tract where they accumulate into the liver through blood circulation via absorption, or epidermal infiltration. It is stated that macroplastics can cause damage directly at the site of exposure, whereas nanoplastics can influence the liver, causing subsequent damage to other organs. Multi-organ dysfunction is brought on by liver changes, and nanoplastics can readily enter the gut-liver axis and disturb the gut microflora. By exploring the literature and summarizing the research that has been published to date, this review article reveals the deleterious effect and mechanisms of nanoplastics on the pathophysiological functions of the hepatic system.