Microplastics May Accelerate Heart Disease, Study Finds

A new study in Environment International suggests that routine exposure to microplastics may worsen atherosclerosis by damaging artery-lining cells, with effects seen only in male mice. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside showed that daily microplastic exposure significantly increased plaque buildup in major arteries—by 63% in the aortic root and more than sixfold in the brachiocephalic artery—without altering weight or cholesterol levels. Female mice, however, showed no comparable changes, hinting at possible protective effects of hormones such as estrogen.

Microplastics, widely present in food, water, and air, have been detected in human bodies and even inside arterial plaques. Using fluorescent particles and single-cell RNA sequencing, the team found that microplastics disrupted endothelial cells and activated harmful gene pathways linked to inflammation and plaque formation. The findings provide evidence that microplastics may directly promote cardiovascular disease. Researchers plan to further study sex-specific responses and the effects of different microplastic types.

26-11-2025