Metabolic Reprogramming in Gut Microbiota Exposed to Polystyrene Microplastics.

ABSTRACT: Background: Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic fragments with diameters less than 5 mm in size and are prevalent in everyday essentials and consumables. Large global plastic production has now led to a flooding of MPs in our natural environment. Due to their detrimental impacts on the planet's ecosystems and potentially our health, MPs have emerged as a significant public health concern. In this pilot study, we hypothesize that MPs exposure will negatively affect gut microbiota composition and function, in which metabolic reprogramming plays an important role. Methods: Using in vitro experiments, three bacterial strains (Escherichia coli MG1655, Nissle 1917, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus) were selected to investigate the impacts of MPs exposure. The bacterial s

SUBMITTER: Chi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11853289 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature