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(Vienna, 06-03-2024) The gastrointestinal tract is already known to researchers as a major storage site for micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) in the human body. A research consortium consisting of the University of Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and other partners under the leadership of CBmed GmbH in Graz has now investigated the effects of the tiny plastic particles on cancer cells in the human gastrointestinal tract. The study showed that MNPs remain in the cell for much longer than previously assumed, as they are passed on to the newly formed cell during cell division. The first indications were also discovered that the plastic particles could promote the metastasis of tumours. The results of the study were recently published in the scientific journal "Chemospheres".
Besides respiration, ingestion is the most important route for MNPs into the organism. Plastic particles up to the weight of a credit card (approx. five grams) enter the gastrointestinal tract every week. The team led by Verena Pichler (University of Vienna, CBmed) and Lukas Kenner (MedUni Vienna, CBmed, Vetmeduni Vienna) investigated the interactions between MNPs and various colon cancer cells.
In their analyses, they were not only able to show how MNPs enter the cell and where exactly they are deposited, but also observed their direct effects: The MNPs are taken up into lysosomes like other "waste products" in the body. Lysosomes are cell organelles that are also known as the "stomach of the cell" and break down foreign bodies in the cell. However, the researchers observed that, unlike foreign bodies of biological origin, the MNPs are not degraded due to their foreign chemical composition.
Besides respiration, ingestion is the most important route for MNPs into the organism. Plastic particles up to the weight of a credit card (approx. five grams) enter the gastrointestinal tract every week. The team led by Verena Pichler (University of Vienna, CBmed) and Lukas Kenner (MedUni Vienna, CBmed, Vetmeduni Vienna) investigated the interactions between MNPs and various colon cancer cells.
In their analyses, they were not only able to show how MNPs enter the cell and where exactly they are deposited, but also observed their direct effects: The MNPs are taken up into lysosomes like other "waste products" in the body. Lysosomes are cell organelles that are also known as the "stomach of the cell" and break down foreign bodies in the cell. However, the researchers observed that, unlike foreign bodies of biological origin, the MNPs are not degraded due to their foreign chemical composition.
